Psalm 58, side by side

Two versions of the same chapter. Each row is one verse, so you can see how the wording changes.

Modern

1For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David. Do you indeed speak justly, O rulers? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men?

Classic

1Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?

Modern

2No, in your hearts you devise injustice; with your hands you mete out violence on the earth.

Classic

2Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.

Modern

3The wicked are estranged from the womb; the liars go astray from birth.

Classic

3The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.

Modern

4Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears,

Classic

4Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;

Modern

5refusing to hear the tune of the charmer who skillfully weaves his spell.

Classic

5Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.

Modern

6O God, shatter their teeth in their mouths; O LORD, tear out the fangs of the lions.

Classic

6Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.

Modern

7May they vanish like water that runs off; when they draw the bow, may their arrows be blunted.

Classic

7Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.

Modern

8Like a slug that dissolves in its slime, like a woman’s stillborn child, may they never see the sun.

Classic

8As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun.

Modern

9Before your pots can feel the burning thorns— whether green or dry— He will sweep them away.

Classic

9Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath.

Modern

10The righteous will rejoice when they see they are avenged; they will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.

Classic

10The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.

Modern

11Then men will say, “There is surely a reward for the righteous! There is surely a God who judges the earth!”

Classic

11So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.

Your pair of translations is remembered on this device for other chapters.