Psalm 109

O my God, whose name I worship,

be not silent, LORD, I pray;

For the wicked and deceitful

speak against me every day.

They have uttered lies against me;

with malicious tongues they fight.

Without cause they rush upon me,

closing in with words of spite.

In return for love they blame me,

though for them I daily pray.

They reward my good with evil,

for my friendship hate repay.

Set an evil man against him

at his right hand to denounce.

May his very prayers condemn him;

let the court his guilt pronounce.

May his rule pass to another;

short and wretched be his life.

Fatherless shall be his children;

make a widow of his wife.

May his children beg and wander,

driven from their ruined gate.

May his goods be seized and taken—

strangers plunder his estate.

May no one take pity on him

or his orphans in their plight.

May his fam’ly line be ended,

and their names be lost to sight.

May the LORD remember ever

all his parents’ sin and shame.

May their sin be held against them,

and forgotten be their name.

For he never thought of helping

those in trouble or distress;

But to death the poor he hounded,

and the weak and comfortless.

He was always cursing others—

may his curse on him rebound;

He took no delight in blessing—

far from him may it be found.

He wore cursing as his garment—

to his bones it soaked like oil;

It poured down his throat like water.

May his curses round him coil.

May they cling to him for ever,

wrapped around him like a cloak.

May this be the LORD’s repayment

to those false, accusing folk.

But, O Sovereign LORD, in mercy

deal with me for your name’s sake;

Save me in your love and goodness,

and my life from danger take.

For I am both poor and needy;

crushed within me is my heart.

I am feeble, like an insect;

like a shadow I depart.

See, my knees give way from fasting;

and my frame is thin and gaunt.

My accusers, when they see me,

shake their heads at me and taunt.

LORD my God, draw near and help me;

save me in your steadfast love.

Let them know your hand has done it,

that my help comes from above.

They may curse, but you will bless me,

and your servant will give praise.

Clothed with shame be my accusers,

my attackers with disgrace.

I will loudly sing God’s praises,

and extol him in the throng;

For he helps and saves the needy

from all those who do them wrong.