1TO THE OVERSEER. “DO NOT DESTROY.” A MIKTAM OF DAVID. Is it true, O silent one, that you speak righteously? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men?

2Even in heart you work iniquities, || In the land you ponder the violence of your hands.

3The wicked have been estranged from the womb, || They have erred from the belly, speaking lies.

4Their poison [is] as poison of a serpent, || As a deaf cobra shutting its ear,

5Which does not listen to the voice of whisperers, || A charmer of most skillful charms.

6O God, break their teeth in their mouth, || Break down the jaw-teeth of young lions, O YHWH.

7They are melted as waters, || They go up and down for themselves, || His arrow proceeds as they cut themselves off.

8He goes on as a snail that melts, || [As] an untimely birth of a woman, || They have not seen the sun.

9Before your pots discern the bramble, || As living, He whirls away in His burning anger.

10The righteous rejoices that he has seen vengeance, || He washes his steps in the blood of the wicked.

11And man says: “Surely fruit [is] for the righteous: Surely there is a God judging in the earth!”