Psalm 109

1 God, whom I praise, do not be silent,ISV — Psalm 109:1

2 for the mouths of wicked and deceitful people are opened against me; they speak against me with lying tongues.ISV — Psalm 109:2

3 They surround me with hate-filled words, attacking me for no reason.ISV — Psalm 109:3

4 Instead of receiving ^{a109:4 The Heb. lacks receiving} my love, they accuse me, though I continue in prayer.ISV — Psalm 109:4

5 They devise evil against me instead of good, and hatred in place of my love.ISV — Psalm 109:5

6 Appoint an evil person over him; may an accuser stand at his right side. ^{b109:6 Lit. hand}ISV — Psalm 109:6

7 When he is judged, may he be found guilty; may his prayer be regarded as sin.ISV — Psalm 109:7

8 May his days be few; may another take over his position. ^{c109:8 Or office}ISV — Psalm 109:8

9 May his children become fatherless, and his wife a widow.ISV — Psalm 109:9

10 May his children roam around begging, seeking food ^{d109:10 The Heb. lacks food} while driven far ^{e109:10 So LXX; the Heb. lacks while driven far} from their ruined homes.ISV — Psalm 109:10

11 May creditors seize all his possessions, and may foreigners loot the property he has acquired. ^{f109:11 Or the result of his labor}ISV — Psalm 109:11

12 May no one extend gracious love to him, or show favor to his fatherless children.ISV — Psalm 109:12

13 May his descendants ^{g109:13 Lit. May those after him} be eliminated, and their memory ^{h109:13 Or their name} be erased from the next generation.ISV — Psalm 109:13

14 May his ancestors’ guilt be remembered in the LORD’s presence, and may his mother’s guilt not be erased.ISV — Psalm 109:14

15 May what ^{i109:15 The Heb. lacks what} they have done ^{j109:15 The Heb. lacks have done} be continually in the LORD’s presence; and may their memory be excised from the earth.ISV — Psalm 109:15

16 For he didn’t think to extend gracious love; he harassed to death the poor, the needy, and the broken hearted. ^{k109:16 Or downhearted}ISV — Psalm 109:16

17 He loved to curse—may his curses ^{l109:17 Lit. may it} return upon him! He took no delight in blessing others ^{m109:17 The Heb. lacks others} — so may blessings ^{n109:17 Lit. it} be far from him.ISV — Psalm 109:17

18 He wore curses like a garment— may they ^{o109:18 Lit. it} enter his inner being like water and his bones like oil.ISV — Psalm 109:18

19 May those curses ^{p109:19 Lit. may it} wrap around him like a garment, or like a belt that one always wears.ISV — Psalm 109:19

20 May this be the way the LORD repays my accuser, those who speak evil against me.ISV — Psalm 109:20

21 Now you, LORD my God, defend ^{q109:21 Lit. God, do to} me for your name’s sake; because your gracious love is good, deliver me!ISV — Psalm 109:21

22 Indeed, I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.ISV — Psalm 109:22

23 I am fading ^{r109:23 Or walking} away like a shadow late in the day; I am shaken off like a locust.ISV — Psalm 109:23

24 My knees give way ^{s109:24 Or knees stagger} from fasting, and my skin is lean, deprived of oil.ISV — Psalm 109:24

25 I have become an object of derision to them— they shake their heads whenever they see me.ISV — Psalm 109:25

26 Help me, LORD my God! Deliver me in accord with your gracious love!ISV — Psalm 109:26

27 Then they will realize that your hand is in this— that you, LORD, have accomplished it.ISV — Psalm 109:27

28 They will curse, but you will bless. When they attack, ^{t109:28 Lit. arise} they will ^{u109:28 So MT DSS 4QPs 11QPs; LXX reads arise, let my opponents} be humiliated, while your servant rejoices.ISV — Psalm 109:28

29 May my accusers be clothed with shame and wrapped in their humiliation as with a robe.ISV — Psalm 109:29

30 I will give many thanks to the LORD with my mouth, praising him publicly,ISV — Psalm 109:30

31 for he stands ^{v109:31 So MT; LXX DSS 11QPs read he has stood} at the right hand of the needy one, to deliver him from his accusers. ^{w109:31 Or from those who condemn him}ISV — Psalm 109:31