Psalms 109

109[For the choir director: A psalm of David.] O God, whom I praise, don’t stand silent and aloofH5329H4210H1732H2790H430H84162while the wicked slander me and tell lies about me.H6310H7563H6310H4820H6605H1696H8267H39563They surround me with hateful words and fight against me for no reason.H5437H1697H8135H3898H26004I love them, but they try to destroy me with accusations even as I am praying for them!H160H7853H86055They repay evil for good, and hatred for my love.H7760H7451H2896H8135H1606They say

, “Get an evil person to turn against him. Send an accuser to bring him to trial.H6485H7563H7854H5975H32257When his case comes up for judgment, let him be pronounced guilty. Count his prayers as sins.H8199H3318H7563H8605H24018Let his years be few; let someone else take his position.H3117H4592H312H3947H64869May his children become fatherless, and his wife a widow.H1121H3490H802H49010May his children wander as beggars and be driven from their ruined homes.H1121H5128H5128H7592H1875H272311May creditors seize his entire estate, and strangers take all he has earned.H5383H5367H2114H962H301812Let no one be kind to him; let no one pity his fatherless children.H4900H2617H2603H349013May all his offspring die. May his family name be blotted out in a single generation.H319H3772H1755H312H8034H422914May the Lord never forget the sins of his fathers; may his mother’s sins never be erased from the record.H5771H1H2142H3068H2403H517H422915May the Lord always remember these sins, and may his name disappear from human memory.H3068H8548H3772H2143H77616For he refused all kindness to others; he persecuted the poor and needy, and he hounded the brokenhearted to death.H2142H6213H2617H7291H6041H34H376H4191H3512H382417He loved to curse others; now you curse him. He never blessed others; now don’t you bless him.H157H7045H935H2654H1293H736818Cursing is as natural to him as his clothing, or the water he drinks, or the rich food he eats.H3847H7045H4055H935H7130H4325H8081H610619Now may his curses return and cling to him like clothing; may they be tied around him like a belt.”H899H5844H4206H2296H854820May those curses become the Lord’s punishment for my accusers who speak evil of me.H6468H7853H3068H1696H7451H531521But deal well with me, O Sovereign Lord, for the sake of your own reputation! Rescue me because you are so faithful and good.H6213H3069H136H8034H2617H2896H533722For I am poor and needy, and my heart is full of pain.H6041H34H3820H2490H713023I am fading like a shadow at dusk; I am brushed off like a locust.H1980H6738H5186H5287H69724My knees are weak from fasting, and I am skin and bones.H1290H3782H6685H1320H3584H808125I am a joke to people everywhere; when they see me, they shake their heads in scorn.H2781H7200H5128H721826Help me, O Lord my God! Save me because of your unfailing love.H5826H3068H430H3467H261727Let them see that this is your doing, that you yourself have done it, Lord.H3045H3027H3068H621328Then let them curse me if they like, but you will bless me! When they attack me, they will be disgraced! But I, your servant, will go right on rejoicing!H7043H1288H6965H954H5650H805529May my accusers be clothed with disgrace; may their humiliation cover them like a cloak.H7853H3847H3639H5844H1322H459830But I will give repeated thanks to the Lord, praising him to everyone.H3966H3034H3068H6310H1984H8432H722731For he stands beside the needy, ready to save them from those who condemn them.H5975H3225H34H3467H8199H5315