Psalm 58
A Plea for Vengeance on Unjust Rulers
For the choir director: A psalm*58: title Hebrew miktam. This may be a literary or musical term. of David, to be sung to the tune “Do Not Destroy!”
1Justice—do you rulers*58:1 Or you gods. know the meaning of the word?
Do you judge the people fairly?
2No! You plot injustice in your hearts.
You spread violence throughout the land.
3These wicked people are born sinners;
even from birth they have lied and gone their own way.
4They spit venom like deadly snakes;
they are like cobras that refuse to listen,
5ignoring the tunes of the snake charmers,
no matter how skillfully they play.
6Break off their fangs, O God!
Smash the jaws of these lions, O Lord!
7May they disappear like water into thirsty ground.
Make their weapons useless in their hands.*58:7 Or Let them be trodden down and wither like grass. The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.
8May they be like snails that dissolve into slime,
like a stillborn child who will never see the sun.
9God will sweep them away, both young and old,
faster than a pot heats over burning thorns.
10The godly will rejoice when they see injustice avenged.
They will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.
11Then at last everyone will say,
“There truly is a reward for those who live for God;
surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.”
Psalm 59
A Plea for Escape from Ambush
For the choir director: A psalm*59: title Hebrew miktam. This may be a literary or musical term. of David, regarding the time Saul sent soldiers to watch David’s house in order to kill him. To be sung to the tune “Do Not Destroy!”
1Rescue me from my enemies, O God.
Protect me from those who have come to destroy me.
2Rescue me from these criminals;
save me from these murderers.
3They have set an ambush for me.
Fierce enemies are out there waiting, Lord,
though I have not sinned or offended them.
4I have done nothing wrong,
yet they prepare to attack me.
Wake up! See what is happening and help me!
5O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel,
wake up and punish those hostile nations.
Show no mercy to wicked traitors.
Interlude
6They come out at night,
snarling like vicious dogs
as they prowl the streets.
7Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths;
their words cut like swords.
“After all, who can hear us?” they sneer.
8But Lord, you laugh at them.
You scoff at all the hostile nations.
9You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me,
for you, O God, are my fortress.
10In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me.
He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies.
11Don’t kill them, for my people soon forget such lessons;
stagger them with your power, and bring them to their knees,
O Lord our shield.
12Because of the sinful things they say,
because of the evil that is on their lips,
let them be captured by their pride,
their curses, and their lies.
13Destroy them in your anger!
Wipe them out completely!
Then the whole world will know
that God reigns in Israel.*59:13 Hebrew in Jacob. See note on 44:4.
Interlude
14My enemies come out at night,
snarling like vicious dogs
as they prowl the streets.
15They scavenge for food
but go to sleep unsatisfied.*59:15 Or and growl if they don’t get enough.
16But as for me, I will sing about your power.
Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love.
For you have been my refuge,
a place of safety when I am in distress.
17O my Strength, to you I sing praises,
for you, O God, are my refuge,
the God who shows me unfailing love.