For the music director: to the tune “Do Not Destroy”, a miktam of David.

Do your “gods” really speak of justice?

Do your sons of man judge fairly?

No, you plot injustice in your hearts.

Your hands measure out violence on the world.

From the womb, the wicked are strangers.

From birth they go astray and speak lies.

Their venom is like that of a snake,

like a cobra, deaf to the voice of its charmers,

or those who skillfully weave spells.

God, break their teeth!

Tear out young lion’s fangs, Adonai!

Let them vanish like water flowing away.

When they bend their bow let the arrows break.

Let them melt away like a slug

moving along in slime,

like a woman’s miscarried child

let them never see the light of day.

Even before your pots can feel a thorn

– whether they are green or dry

– Adonai will sweep away the wicked.

The righteous one will rejoice

when they are avenged,

when they wash their feet

in the blood of the wicked.

Then they will say

“Truly there is a reward for the righteous,

truly there is a God who judges on earth!”