Psalm 109

Psalm 109 1For the director of music. A psalm of David. God, I praise you. Don’t remain silent.

2Sinful people who lie and cheat have spoken against me. They have used their tongues to tell lies about me.

3They gather all around me with their words of hatred. They attack me without any reason.

4They bring charges against me, even though I love them and pray for them.

5They pay me back with evil for the good things I do. They pay back my love with hatred.

6Appoint an evil person to take my enemies to court. Let him stand at their right hand and bring charges against them.

7When they are tried, let them be found guilty. May even their prayers judge them.

8May their days be few. Let others take their places as leaders.

9May their children’s fathers die. May their wives become widows.

10May their children be driven from their destroyed homes. May they wander around like beggars.

11May everything those people own be taken away to pay for what they owe. May strangers rob them of everything they’ve worked for.

12May no one be kind to them or take pity on the children they leave behind.

13May their family line come to an end. May their names be forgotten by those who live after them.

14May the LORD remember the evil things their fathers have done. May he never erase the sins of their mothers.

15May the LORD never forget their sins. Then he won’t let people remember the names of my enemies anymore.

16They never thought about doing anything kind. Instead, they drove those who were poor and needy to their deaths. They did the same thing to those whose hearts were broken.

17They loved to curse others. May their curses come back on them. They didn’t find any pleasure in giving anyone their blessing. May no blessing ever come to them.

18They cursed others as easily as they put on clothes. Cursing was as natural to them as getting a drink of water or putting olive oil on their bodies.

19May their curses cover them like coats. May their curses be wrapped around them like a belt forever.

20May that be the LORD ’s way of paying back those who bring charges against me. May it happen to those who say evil things about me.

21But LORD and King, help me so that you bring honor to yourself. Because your love is so good, save me.

22I am poor and needy. My heart is wounded deep down inside me.

23I fade away like an evening shadow. I’m like a locust that someone brushes off.

24My knees are weak because I’ve gone without food. My body is very thin.

25Those who bring charges against me laugh at me. When they see me, they shake their heads at me.

26LORD my God, help me. Save me because of your faithful love.

27LORD, let my enemies know that you yourself have saved me. You have done it with your own hand.

28They may curse me. But may you bless me. May those who attack me be put to shame. But may I be filled with joy.

29May those who bring charges against me be clothed with dishonor. May they be wrapped in shame as if it were a coat.

30With my mouth I will continually praise the LORD . I will praise him when all his people gather for worship. 31He stands ready to help those who need it. He saves them from those who are ready to sentence them to death.