Psalms 109

¹ For the leader. A psalm of David.

² O God, whom I praise, do not be silent, for wicked and treacherous mouths attack me. They speak against me with lying tongues;

³ with hateful words they surround me, attacking me without cause.

⁴ In return for my love they slander me, even though I prayed for them.

⁵ They repay me evil for good, hatred for my love. My enemies say of me:

⁶ "Find a lying witness, an accuser to stand by his right hand,

⁷ That he may be judged and found guilty, that his plea may be in vain.

⁸ May his days be few; may another take his office.

⁹ May his children be fatherless, his wife, a widow.

¹⁰ May his children be vagrant beggars, driven from their hovels.

¹¹ May the usurer snare all he owns, strangers plunder all he earns.

¹² May no one treat him kindly or pity his fatherless children.

¹³ May his posterity be destroyed, his name cease in the next generation.

¹⁴ May the LORD remember his fathers' guilt; his mother's sin not be canceled.

¹⁵ May their guilt be always before the LORD, till their memory is banished from the earth,

¹⁶ For he did not remember to show kindness, but hounded the wretched poor and brought death to the brokenhearted.

¹⁷ He loved cursing; may it come upon him; he hated blessing; may none come to him.

¹⁸ May cursing clothe him like a robe; may it enter his belly like water, seep into his bones like oil.

¹⁹ May it be near as the clothes he wears, as the belt always around him."

²⁰ May the LORD bring all this upon my accusers, upon those who speak evil against me.

²¹ But you, LORD, my God, deal kindly with me for your name's sake; in your great mercy rescue me.

²² For I am sorely in need; my heart is pierced within me.

²³ Like a lengthening shadow I near my end, all but swept away like the locust.

²⁴ My knees totter from fasting; my flesh has wasted away.

²⁵ I have become a mockery to them; when they see me, they shake their heads.

²⁶ Help me, LORD, my God; save me in your kindness.

²⁷ Make them know this is your hand, that you, LORD, have acted.

²⁸ Though they curse, may you bless; shame my foes, that your servant may rejoice.

²⁹ Clothe my accusers with disgrace; make them wear shame like a mantle.

³⁰ I will give fervent thanks to the LORD; before all I will praise my God.

³¹ For God stands at the right hand of the poor to defend them against unjust accusers.