The Grandiose Slaughter of Leviathan

On that day
The Lord will punish with his sword
That is cruel, great, and strong
Leviathan the fleeing serpent
Leviathan the coiled serpent;
He will slay the dragon in the sea
On that day—
The pleasant vineyard, sing about it!
I, the Lord, am its keeper
I water it every moment;
Lest anyone harm it
Night and day I guard it
I am not angry
But if I were to find briers and thorns
In battle I would march against it;
I would burn it all
But if it holds fast to my refuge
It shall have peace with me;
It shall have peace with me
In days to come Jacob shall take root
Israel shall sprout and blossom
Covering all the world with fruit
Was he smitten as his smiter was smitten?
Was he slain as his slayer was slain?
Driving out and expelling, he struggled against it
Carrying it off with his cruel wind on a day of storm
This, then, shall be the expiation of Jacob’s guilt
This the result of removing his sin:
He shall pulverize all the stones of the altars
Like pieces of chalk;
No asherahs or incense altars shall stand
For the fortified city shall be desolate
An abandoned pasture, a forsaken wilderness;
Can you lead Leviathan about with a hook
Or tie down his tongue with a rope?
Can you put a ring into his nose
Or pierce through his cheek with a gaff?
Will he then plead with you, time after time
Or address you with tender words?
Will he make a covenant with you
That you may have him as a slave forever?
Can you play with him, as with a bird?
Can you tie him up for your little girls?
Will the traders bargain for him?
Will the merchants divide him up?
Can you fill his hide with barbs
Or his head with fish spears?
Once you but lay a hand upon him
No need to recall any other conflict!