New Living Translation

Psalms • Chapter 109

1 O God (Elohim), whom I praise,<br>don’t stand silent and aloof<br> 2 while the wicked slander me<br>and tell lies about me.<br> 3 They surround me with hateful words<br>and fight against me for no reason.<br> 4 I love them, but they try to destroy me with accusations<br>even as I am praying for them!<br> 5 They repay evil for good,<br>and hatred for my love.<br> 6 They say, “Get an evil person to turn against him.<br>Send an accuser to bring him to trial.<br> 7 When his case comes up for judgment,<br>let him be pronounced guilty.<br>Count his prayers as sins.<br> 8 Let his years be few;<br>let someone else take his position.<br> 9 May his children become fatherless,<br>and his wife a widow.<br> 10 May his children wander as beggars<br>and be driven from their ruined homes.<br> 11 May creditors seize his entire estate,<br>and strangers take all he has earned.<br> 12 Let no one be kind to him;<br>let no one pity his fatherless children.<br> 13 May all his offspring die.<br>May his family name be blotted out in the next generation.<br> 14 May the LORD never forget the sins of his fathers;<br>may his mother’s sins never be erased from the record.<br> 15 May the LORD always remember these sins,<br>and may his name disappear from human memory.<br> 16 For he refused all kindness to others;<br>he persecuted the poor and needy,<br>and he hounded the brokenhearted to death.<br> 17 He loved to curse others;<br>now you curse him.<br>He never blessed others;<br>now don’t you bless him.<br> 18 Cursing is as natural to him as his clothing,<br>or the water he drinks,<br>or the rich food he eats.<br> 19 Now may his curses return and cling to him like clothing;<br>may they be tied around him like a belt.”<br> 20 May those curses become the LORD’s punishment<br>for my accusers who speak evil of me.<br> 21 But deal well with me, O Sovereign LORD,<br>for the sake of your own reputation!<br>Rescue me<br>because you are so faithful and good.<br> 22 For I am poor and needy,<br>and my heart is full of pain.<br> 23 I am fading like a shadow at dusk;<br>I am brushed off like a locust.<br> 24 My knees are weak from fasting,<br>and I am skin and bones.<br> 25 I am a joke to people everywhere;<br>when they see me, they shake their heads in scorn.<br> 26 Help me, O LORD my God (Elohim)!<br>Save me because of your unfailing love.<br> 27 Let them see that this is your doing,<br>that you yourself have done it, LORD.<br> 28 Then let them curse me if they like,<br>but you will bless me!<br>When they attack me, they will be disgraced!<br>But I, your servant, will go right on rejoicing!<br> 29 May my accusers be clothed with disgrace;<br>may their humiliation cover them like a cloak.<br> 30 But I will give repeated thanks to the LORD,<br>praising him to everyone.<br> 31 For he stands beside the needy,<br>ready to save them from those who condemn them.<br>