GodsWord - Psalms - 109

109:1  O God, whom I praise, do not turn a deaf ear to me.

109:2  Wicked and deceitful people have opened their mouths against me. They speak against me with lying tongues.

109:3  They surround me with hateful words. They fight against me for no reason.

109:4  In return for my love, they accuse me, but I pray for them.

109:5  They reward me with evil instead of good and with hatred instead of love.

109:6  I said, "Appoint the evil one to oppose him. Let Satan stand beside him.

109:7  When he stands trial, let him be found guilty. Let his prayer be considered sinful.

109:8  Let his days be few in number. Let someone else take his position.

109:9  "Let his children become fatherless and his wife a widow.

109:10  Let his children wander around and beg. Let them seek help far from their ruined homes.

109:11  Let a creditor take everything he owns. Let strangers steal what he has worked for.

109:12  Let no one be kind to him anymore. Let no one show any pity to his fatherless children.

109:13  Let his descendants be cut off and their family name be wiped out by the next generation.

109:14  Let the LORD remember the guilt of his ancestors and not wipe out his mother's sin.

109:15  Let their guilt and sin always remain on record in front of the LORD. Let the LORD remove every memory of him from the earth,

109:16  because he did not remember to be kind. "He drove oppressed, needy, and brokenhearted people to their graves.

109:17  He loved to put curses on others, so he, too, was cursed. He did not like to bless others, so he never received a blessing.

109:18  He wore cursing as though it were clothing, so cursing entered his body like water and his bones like oil.

109:19  Let cursing be his clothing, a belt he always wears."

109:20  This is how the LORD rewards those who accuse me, those who say evil things against me.

109:21  O LORD Almighty, deal with me out of the goodness of your name. Rescue me because of your mercy.

109:22  I am oppressed and needy. I can feel the pain in my heart.

109:23  I fade away like a lengthening shadow. I have been shaken off like a grasshopper.

109:24  My knees give way because I have been fasting. My body has become lean, without any fat.

109:25  I have become the victim of my enemies' insults. They look at me and shake their heads.

109:26  Help me, O LORD my God. Save me because of your mercy.

109:27  Then they will know that this is your doing, that you, O LORD, are the one who saved me.

109:28  They may curse, but you will bless. Let those who attack me be ashamed, but let me rejoice.

109:29  Let those who accuse me wear disgrace as though it were clothing. Let them be wrapped in their shame as though it were a robe.

109:30  With my mouth I will give many thanks to the LORD. I will praise him among many people,

109:31  because he stands beside needy people to save them from those who would condemn them to death.