109  A song by David for the choir director.

1 You’re the God that I praise—

don’t be silent

2 because the wicked and deceitful attack me.

≈ They tell lies about me.

3 They say hateful things all around me,

≈ and they attack me for no reason.

4 They pay back my love with accusations,

but I pray for them.

5 They repay me evil for good,

≈ and they hate my love.

6 Appoint a wicked man to be over him,

then appoint an accuser to stand on his right.

7 When he’s judged, may he be found guilty,

and may his prayer for mercy be considered sinful.

8 May his days be few—

≈ may someone else take his office.

9 May his children become fatherless,

≈ and may his wife become a widow.

10 May his children wander around and beg—

≈ asking for handouts as they leave their ruined home.

11 May the creditor take all he owns.

≈ May strangers plunder what he earns.

12 May no one extend any kindness to him.

≈ May no one have pity on his fatherless children.

13 May his children be eliminated—

≈ may their names be blotted out in the next generation.

14 May his ancestors’ sins be mentioned to Yahweh,

≈ and may the sin of his mother not be forgotten.

15 May their guilt always be on Yahweh’s mind.

May Yahweh cause their history to be totally forgotten.

16 May Yahweh do this because this man never bothered to show any loyal commitment,

^ but instead harassed the oppressed, the needy, and the disheartened to death.

17 He loved cursing—may it come back onto him.

He had no desire to bless others—may no blessing come to him.

18 He wrapped himself with cursing like a cloak,

and his curse entered his inner being like water—

like oil into his bones.

19 May his curses cling to him like the clothes he wears to cover himself—

like the belt he always wears.

20 May this be my accusers’ reward from Yahweh—

yes for those who say evil things about me.

21 Yahweh my Lord, deal kindly with me for your reputation’s sake.

Because your loyal commitment is good, save me,

22 because I’m oppressed and needy,

and my heart is wounded within me.

23 I’m fading away like a shadow in the late afternoon.

I’m shaken off like a locust.

24 My knees are weak from fasting.

≈ My body is frail from not eating enough.

25 I’m scorned by my accusers.

≈ When they see me, they shake their heads.

26 Help me, Yahweh my god.

≈ Exercise your loyal commitment and save me.

27 May they know that you’re involved here—

that you, Yahweh, have done this.

28 Though they curse me, please bless me.

When they attack, may they be put to shame,

but may your servant celebrate.

29 May my opponents be clothed with shame.

May they wear their shame like a coat.

30 With my mouth, I thank Yahweh frequently.

I’ll praise him even in the middle of a crowd,

31 because he’ll stand beside any needy person

to save them from those who condemn them.