1 TO 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? 2 Even in heart you work iniquities, || In the land you ponder the violence of your hands. 3 The wicked have been estranged from the womb, || They have erred from the belly, speaking lies. 4 Their poison is as poison of a snake, || As a deaf cobra shutting its ear, 5 Which does not listen to the voice of whisperers, || A charmer of most skillful charms. 6 O God, break their teeth in their mouth, || Break down the jaw-teeth of young lions, O YHWH. 7 They are melted as waters, || They go up and down for themselves, || His arrow proceeds as they cut themselves off. 8 He goes on as a snail that melts, || As an untimely birth of a woman, || They have not seen the sun. 9 Before your pots discern the bramble, || As living, He whirls away in His burning anger. 10 The righteous rejoices that he has seen vengeance, || He washes his steps in the blood of the wicked. 11 And man says: “Surely fruit is for the righteous: Surely there is a God judging in the earth!”