¹ {To the Chanter, Michtam of David} If your minds be upon righteousness in deed, then judge the thing that is right, O ye sons of men. ² But ye imagine mischief in your hearts, and your hands deal with wickedness.

³ The ungodly are froward, even from their mother's womb; as soon as they be born, they go astray and speak lies. ⁴ They are as venomous as the poison of a serpent, even like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ears, ⁵ that she should not hear the voice of the charmer, charm he never so wisely.

⁶ Break their teeth, O God, in their mouths; smite the jawbones of the lions, O LORD. ⁷ Let them fall away like water that runneth a pace; and when they shoot their arrows, let them be rooted out. ⁸ Let them consume away like a snail, and like the untimely fruit of a woman; and let them not see the sun.

⁹ As a green thorn kindled with fire goeth out before your pots be made hot; even so, let a furious rage bring him to nought. ¹⁰ The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance, and shall wash his feet in the blood of the ungodly. ¹¹ So that men shall say, "Verily there is a reward for the righteous! Doubtless, there is a God that judgeth the earth!"

¹ {To the Chanter, Destroy Not, Michtam of David, when Saul sent to watch the house, to the intent to kill him} Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God, and defend me from them that rise up against me.