Psalm 109
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
O my God, whom I praise, be not silent to me,
for the mouths of the wicked are vile.
They deceive and berate, they are so filled with hate,
and they lie with their tongues all the while.
They've encircled me round with their words full of hate,
for what reason — they cannot declare;
though my love's been repaid with the mischief they've made,
I have given myself to much prayer.
They reward me with evil for good I have done,
and give hate for the love I supplied.
Raise a wicked man up over him who's corrupt;
an accuser to stand at his side.
When his case has been judged, may his guilt be profound,
let his prayer be regarded as sin.
May his life's days be few, his remaining years, too.
Let another take his job from him.
Let his children be fatherless when justice comes,
let his wife be a widow as well.
Let his children roam far as the beggars they are,
from the ruins where they used to dwell.
May the creditor seize everything that he has,
and the stranger take all that he owns.
May not one show him grace or their love to his face,
nor take pity on his orphaned ones.
May his offspring die off and his name disappear,
with the next generation beyond.
May the LORD not forget deeds his fathers regret;
let the sins of his mother live on.
May the LORD yet remember the sins they have done,
may their name leave this earth like a breath.
He refused to be kind to the poor and maligned,
dug the grave for each premature death.
How he loved to denounce and give others a curse,
let those curses on him come to stay.
He found no joy at all blessing great or the small,
so, keep blessings for him far away.
He wears cursing like clothing, like water to drink,
or like oil seeping down to the bone.
Like a garment around him his cursing is bound
like the belt that he's never not known.
May this be the LORD's payment rewarding my foes,
speaking evil of me endlessly.
LORD, it's you I entreat for your mercy is sweet,
by your goodness and love, rescue me.
I am helpless, dependent, I'm needy and poor,
and my heart — I am wounded within.
I'm a shadow that's made that will lengthen, then fade;
I'm a locust that's tossed in the wind.
Both my knees have been weakened from fasting and prayer;
skin and bones — how my body is gaunt.
My accusers are cruel for I'm seen as a fool;
shaking heads, when they see me, they taunt.
Help me, LORD God, Jehovah! Come, help me, LORD, now!
Come and save me of your own accord.
Let them all understand that this all is your hand,
and that you have accomplished it, LORD.
Let them curse, but you'll bless. When they rise, they'll be shamed,
but your servant will ever be glad.
May accusers I face then be clothed in disgrace;
wrapped in shame as a cloak, they'll be clad.
With my mouth I will give thanks and praise to the LORD;
I will praise him when your people meet.
For he stands at the right of the needy to fight,
to deliver their souls from defeat.
O my God, whom I praise, be not silent to me,
for the mouths of the wicked are vile.
They deceive and berate, they are so filled with hate,
and they lie with their tongues all the while.
They've encircled me round with their words full of hate,
for what reason — they cannot declare;
though my love's been repaid with the mischief they've made,
I have given myself to much prayer.
They reward me with evil for good I have done,
and give hate for the love I supplied.
Raise a wicked man up over him who's corrupt;
an accuser to stand at his side.
When his case has been judged, may his guilt be profound,
let his prayer be regarded as sin.
May his life's days be few, his remaining years, too.
Let another take his job from him.
Let his children be fatherless when justice comes,
let his wife be a widow as well.
Let his children roam far as the beggars they are,
from the ruins where they used to dwell.
May the creditor seize everything that he has,
and the stranger take all that he owns.
May not one show him grace or their love to his face,
nor take pity on his orphaned ones.
May his offspring die off and his name disappear,
with the next generation beyond.
May the LORD not forget deeds his fathers regret;
let the sins of his mother live on.
May the LORD yet remember the sins they have done,
may their name leave this earth like a breath.
He refused to be kind to the poor and maligned,
dug the grave for each premature death.
How he loved to denounce and give others a curse,
let those curses on him come to stay.
He found no joy at all blessing great or the small,
so, keep blessings for him far away.
He wears cursing like clothing, like water to drink,
or like oil seeping down to the bone.
Like a garment around him his cursing is bound
like the belt that he's never not known.
May this be the LORD's payment rewarding my foes,
speaking evil of me endlessly.
LORD, it's you I entreat for your mercy is sweet,
by your goodness and love, rescue me.
I am helpless, dependent, I'm needy and poor,
and my heart — I am wounded within.
I'm a shadow that's made that will lengthen, then fade;
I'm a locust that's tossed in the wind.
Both my knees have been weakened from fasting and prayer;
skin and bones — how my body is gaunt.
My accusers are cruel for I'm seen as a fool;
shaking heads, when they see me, they taunt.
Help me, LORD God, Jehovah! Come, help me, LORD, now!
Come and save me of your own accord.
Let them all understand that this all is your hand,
and that you have accomplished it, LORD.
Let them curse, but you'll bless. When they rise, they'll be shamed,
but your servant will ever be glad.
May accusers I face then be clothed in disgrace;
wrapped in shame as a cloak, they'll be clad.
With my mouth I will give thanks and praise to the LORD;
I will praise him when your people meet.
For he stands at the right of the needy to fight,
to deliver their souls from defeat.
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