Psalm 58 | King James Version

1 To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David. Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men? 2 Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth. 3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. 4 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear; 5 Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely. 6 Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD. 7 Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces. 8 As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun. 9 Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath. 10 The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. 11 So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.

New International Reader’s Version

For the director of music. A miktam of David to the tune of ‘Do Not Destroy.’

1 Are you rulers really fair when you speak? Do you judge people honestly? 2 No, in your hearts you plan to be unfair. With your hands you do terrible things on the earth. 3 Even from birth those who are evil go down the wrong path. From the day they are born they go the wrong way and spread lies. 4 Their words are like the poison of a snake. They are like the poison of a cobra that has covered up its ears. 5 It won’t listen to a snake charmer’s tune, even if the charmer plays very well. 6 God, break the teeth in the mouths of those sinners! LORD, tear out the sharp teeth of those lions! 7 Let those people disappear like water that flows away. When they draw their bows, let their arrows fall short of the target. 8 Let them be like a slug that melts away as it moves along. Let them be like a baby that is born dead and never sees the sun. 9 Evil people will be swept away before burning thorns can heat a pot. And it doesn’t matter if the thorns are green or dry. 10 Godly people will be glad when those who have hurt them are paid back. They will dip their feet in the blood of those who do evil. 11 Then people will say, ‘The godly will get their reward. There really is a God who judges the earth.’

Psalm 58 | King James Version New International Reader’s Version

For the director of music. A miktam of David to the tune of ‘Do Not Destroy.’