God Judges the Earth

For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktama of David.

1Do you indeed speak justly, O rulers?

Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men?

2No, in your hearts you devise injustice;

with your hands you mete out violence on the earth.

3The wicked are estranged from the womb;

the liars go astray from birth.

4Their venom is like the venom of a snake,

like a cobra that shuts its ears,

5refusing to hear the tune of the charmer

who skillfully weaves his spell.

6O God, shatter their teeth in their mouths;

O LORD, tear out the fangs of the lions.

7May they vanish

like water that runs off;

when they draw the bow,

may their arrows be blunted.b

8Like a slug that dissolves in its slime,

like a woman’s stillborn child,

may they never see the sun.

9Before your pots can feel the burning thorns—

whether green or dry—

He will sweep them away.

10The righteous will rejoice

when they see they are avenged;

they will wash their feet

in the blood of the wicked.

11Then men will say,

“There is surely a reward for the righteous!

There is surely a God who judges the earth!”