109:1   I praise you, God; don't remain silent!

109:2   Wicked people and liars have attacked me. They tell lies about me,

109:3   and they say evil things about me, attacking me for no reason.

109:4   They oppose me, even though I love them and have prayed for them.

109:5   They pay me back evil for good and hatred for love.

109:6   Choose some corrupt judge to try my enemy, and let one of his own enemies accuse him.

109:7   May he be tried and found guilty; may even his prayer be considered a crime!

109:8   May his life soon be ended; may someone else take his job!

109:9   May his children become orphans, and his wife a widow!

109:10   May his children be homeless beggars; may they be driven from the ruins they live in!

109:11   May his creditors take away all his property, and may strangers get everything he worked for.

109:12   May no one ever be kind to him or care for the orphans he leaves behind.

109:13   May all his descendants die, and may his name be forgotten in the next generation.

109:14   May the LORD remember the evil of his ancestors and never forgive his mother's sins.

109:15   May the LORD always remember their sins, but may they themselves be completely forgotten!

109:16   That man never thought of being kind; he persecuted and killed the poor, the needy, and the helpless.

109:17   He loved to curse---may he be cursed! He hated to give blessings---may no one bless him!

109:18   He cursed as naturally as he dressed himself; may his own curses soak into his body like water and into his bones like oil!

109:19   May they cover him like clothes and always be around him like a belt!

109:20   LORD, punish my enemies in that way--- those who say such evil things against me!

109:21   But my Sovereign LORD, help me as you have promised, and rescue me because of the goodness of your love.

109:22   I am poor and needy; I am hurt to the depths of my heart.

109:23   Like an evening shadow I am about to vanish; I am blown away like an insect.

109:24   My knees are weak from lack of food; I am nothing but skin and bones.

109:25   When people see me, they laugh at me; they shake their heads in scorn.

109:26   Help me, O LORD my God; because of your constant love, save me!

109:27   Make my enemies know that you are the one who saves me.

109:28   They may curse me, but you will bless me. May my persecutors be defeated, and may I, your servant, be glad.

109:29   May my enemies be covered with disgrace; may they wear their shame like a robe.

109:30   I will give loud thanks to the LORD; I will praise him in the assembly of the people,

109:31   because he defends the poor and saves them from those who condemn them to death.