For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.
1 Do you rulers indeed speak justly?
Do you judge people with equity?
2 No, in your heart you devise injustice,
and your hands mete out violence on the earth.
3 Even from birth the wicked go astray;
from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies.
4 Their venom is like the venom of a snake,
like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,
5 that will not heed the tune of the charmer,
however skillful the enchanter may be.
6 Break the teeth in their mouths, O God;
Lord, tear out the fangs of those lions!
7 Let them vanish like water that flows away;
when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short.
8 May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along,
like a stillborn child that never sees the sun.
9 Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns—
whether they be green or dry—the wicked will be swept away.
10 The righteous will be glad when they are avenged,
when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 Then people will say,
“Surely the righteous still are rewarded;
surely there is a God who judges the earth.”
King David knew the Power of God and prayed to Him to help him defeat his enemies...David knew of evil rulers and would ask through prayer and song for His help...
God, get up and scatter your enemies!...May all your enemies run from you...May your enemies be scattered like smoke blown away by the wind...May your enemies be destroyed like wax melting in a fire...But let good people be happy...Let them gather before God and enjoy themselves together...Sing to God!...Sing praises to his name!...Prepare the way for the one who rides on the clouds...His name is YAHEW...Worship before him with joy...God, who lives in His holy palace, is a father to orphans, and He takes care of widows...God provides homes for those who are lonely...He frees people from prison and makes them happy...But those who turn against Him will live in the desert...God, you led your people out of Egypt...You marched across the desert...The ground shook and rain poured from the sky when God, the God of Israel, came to Sinai...God, you sent the rain to make a tired, old land strong again...Your people came back to live there, and you provided good things for the poor...My LORD gave the command, and many people went to tell the good news: “The armies of powerful kings ran away!...At home, the women divide the things brought from the battle...Those who stayed home will share in the wealth—metal doves with wings covered in silver and feathers sparkling with gold.”...God All-Powerful scatters the kings and leaders like snow falling on Mount Zalmon...Mount Bashan is a great mountain with many high peaks...But, Bashan, why are you jealous of Mount Zion?...That is where God has chosen to live...The LORD will live there forever...With his millions of chariots, the LORD came from Sinai into the holy place...You went up to your high place, leading a parade of captives...You received gifts from people, even those who turned against you...The LORD our God went up there to live...Praise the LORD!...Every day He helps us with the loads we must carry...He is the God who saves us...He is our God, the God who saves us...My LORD God saves us from death...God will smash the heads of his enemies...He will destroy them...He will punish those who fight against Him...My LORD said, “If they run up to Bashan or down to the depths of the sea, I will bring them back...So you will march through pools of their blood, and there will be plenty left for your dogs.”...God, everyone can see your victory parade—the victory march of my God and King into His holy place!...Singers come marching in front, followed by the musicians; they are surrounded by young girls playing tambourines...Praise God in the meeting place...Praise the LORD, people of Israel and of the world!...
There is the smallest tribe, Benjamin, leading them...And there comes a large group of leaders from Judah...Following them are the leaders of Zebulun and Naphtali...God, show us your power!...Show us the power you used for us in the past...Kings will bring their wealth to you, to your Temple in Jerusalem...Punish the people in Egypt...They are like cattle in the marshes, like bulls among the calves...You humiliated them...You scattered them in war...Now let them come crawling to you, bringing their pieces of silver...Messengers from Egypt will come bearing gifts... Ethiopia will offer God their tribute...Kings on earth, sing to God!...Sing songs of praise to our LORD!...Sing to Him who rides His chariot through the ancient skies...Listen to His powerful voice!...Tell everyone how powerful He is!...He rules over Israel and the world...His power fills the skies...God, you are awesome in Your Temple!...The God of Israel and the world is the One who gives strength and power to His people and His children...Praise God!...