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58
To the director: To the tune “Don’t Destroy.” A miktam of David.
1 You judges are not being fair in your decisions.
You are not judging people fairly.
2 No, you only think of evil things to do.
You do violent crimes in this country.
3 Those wicked people started doing wrong as soon as they were born.
They have been liars from birth.
4 Their anger is as deadly as the poison of a snake.* anger … snake A wordplay in Hebrew. The word meaning “anger” can also mean “venom” (poison).
They shut their ears like a deaf cobra
5 that does not listen to the music of the snake charmers,
no matter how well they play.
6 God, they are like lions.
So LORD, break their teeth.
7 May they disappear like water down a drain.
May they be crushed like weeds on a path.† Or “May he shoot his arrows, cutting them down as if they were withering grass.”
8 May they be like snails melting away as they move.
May they be like a baby born dead, who never saw the light of day.
9 May they be destroyed suddenly,
like the thorns that are burned to quickly heat a pot.
10 Good people will be happy
when they see the wicked getting the punishment they deserve.
They will feel like soldiers
walking through the blood of their enemies!‡ They … enemies Literally, “They will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.”
11 Then people will say, “Good people really are rewarded.
Yes, there is a God judging the world!”§ Yes … world Or “There really are judges in this land doing their job.”

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*58:4 anger … snake A wordplay in Hebrew. The word meaning “anger” can also mean “venom” (poison).

†58:7 Or “May he shoot his arrows, cutting them down as if they were withering grass.”

‡58:10 They … enemies Literally, “They will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.”

§58:11 Yes … world Or “There really are judges in this land doing their job.”

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