To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David

Verse 1

Do ye, O congregation, Speak righteousness indeed? In judgment do ye sons of men, With uprightness proceed?

Verse 2

Ye you injuroius wickedness In heart will working be: The weight of your hands violence Weigh out i'th' land do ye.

Verse 3

The wicked are estranged from The womb, they go astray, And even from the belly they Their falshood do display.

Verse 4

Ev'n like a serpent's poison is The poison that they bear; They are like as the adder deaf That stoppeth up her ear.

Verse 5

Who will not hearken to the voice, O such as charmers are; Although the charmer in his charms None of his cunning spare.

Verse 6

Within their mouth do thou their teeth Break out, O God most strong: Do thou, O Lord, the mighty teeth Break of the lions young.

Verse 7

As waters let them melt away, Continually that flee: And when he bends his shafts, let them, As cut asunder be.

Verse 8

As melts a snail, let ev'ry one Of them away so run: Like women's timeless birth, that they May never see the sun.

Verse 9

Before your pots can feel the thorns So shall he them surprise, As with a whirlwind; both alive And in most wrathful wise.

Verse 10

The righteous shall rejoyce when as He doth the vengeance see: He shall his feet wash in the blood Of them that wicked be.

Verse 11

So men shall say assuredly, There's for the righteous fruit; Sure there's a God that in the earth Doth judgment execute