Chapter 109
1 God of my praise , don’t remain silent ,
2 for they have opened the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of deceit against me . They have spoken to me with a lying tongue .
3 They have also surrounded me with words of hatred , and fought against me without a cause .
4 In return for my love, they are my adversaries ; but I am in prayer .
5 They have rewarded me evil for good , and hatred for my love.
6 Set a wicked man over him . Let an adversary stand at his right hand .
7 When he is judged , let him come out guilty . Let his prayer be turned into sin .
8 Let his days be few . Let another take his office .
9 Let his children be fatherless , and his wife a widow.
10 Let his children be wandering beggars. Let them be sought from their ruins .
11 Let the creditor seize all that he has . Let strangers plunder the fruit of his labor .
12 Let there be no one to extend kindness to him , neither let there be anyone to have pity on his fatherless children .
13 Let his posterity be cut off . In the generation following let their name be blotted out .
14 Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered by Yahweh . Don’t let the sin of his mother be blotted out .
15 Let them be before Yahweh continually , that he may cut off their memory from the earth;
16 because he didn’t remember to show kindness , but persecuted the poor and needy man , the broken in heart , to kill them .
17 Yes, he loved cursing , and it came to him . He didn’t delight in blessing , and it was far from him .
18 He clothed himself also with cursing as with his garment . It came into his inward parts like water , like oil into his bones .
19 Let it be to him as the clothing with which he covers himself , for the belt that is always around him .
20 This is the reward of my adversaries from Yahweh , of those who speak evil against my soul .
21 But deal with me , Yahweh the Lord , for your name ’s sake , because your loving kindness is good , deliver me ;
22 for I am poor and needy . My heart is wounded within me .
23 I fade away like an evening shadow . I am shaken off like a locust.
24 My knees are weak through fasting . My body is thin and lacks fat .
25 I have also become a reproach to them . When they see me , they shake their head .
26 Help me , Yahweh , my God . Save me according to your loving kindness ;
27 that they may know that this is your hand ; that you , Yahweh , have done it .
28 They may curse , but you bless . When they arise , they will be shamed, but your servant shall rejoice .
29 Let my adversaries be clothed with dishonor . Let them cover themselves with their own shame as with a robe .
30 I will give great thanks to Yahweh with my mouth . Yes, I will praise him among the multitude .
31 For he will stand at the right hand of the needy, to save him from those who judge his soul .