Psalm 109

⁶ Appoint an evil person to take my enemies to court.
    Let him stand at their right hand and bring charges against them.
⁷ When they are tried, let them be found guilty.
    May even their prayers judge them.
⁸ May their days be few.
    Let others take their places as leaders.
⁹ May their children’s fathers die.
    May their wives become widows.
¹⁰ May their children be driven from their destroyed homes.
    May they wander around like beggars.
¹¹ May everything those people own be taken away to pay for what they owe.
    May strangers rob them of everything they’ve worked for.
¹² May no one be kind to them
    or take pity on the children they leave behind.
¹³ May their family line come to an end.
    May their names be forgotten by those who live after them.
¹⁴ May the Lord remember the evil things their fathers have done.
    May he never erase the sins of their mothers.
¹⁵ May the Lord never forget their sins.
    Then he won’t let people remember the names of my enemies anymore.

¹⁶ They 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.
¹⁷ They 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.
¹⁸ They 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.
¹⁹ May their curses cover them like coats.
    May their curses be wrapped around them like a belt forever.
²⁰ May 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.

²¹ But Lord and King,
    help me so that you bring honor to yourself.
    Because your love is so good, save me.
²² I am poor and needy.
    My heart is wounded deep down inside me.
²³ I fade away like an evening shadow.
    I’m like a locust that someone brushes off.
²⁴ My knees are weak because I’ve gone without food.
    My body is very thin.
²⁵ Those who bring charges against me laugh at me.
    When they see me, they shake their heads at me.

²⁶ Lord my God, help me.
    Save me because of your faithful love.
²⁷ Lord, let my enemies know that you yourself have saved me.
    You have done it with your own hand.
²⁸ They may curse me.
    But may you bless me.
May those who attack me be put to shame.
    But may I be filled with joy.
²⁹ May those who bring charges against me be clothed with dishonor.
    May they be wrapped in shame as if it were a coat.

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