Prayer for Vindication and Vengeance

To the leader. Of David. A Psalm.

1Do not be silent, O God of my praise.

2For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me,

speaking against me with lying tongues.

3They beset me with words of hate,

and attack me without cause.

4In return for my love they accuse me,

even while I make prayer for them.109.4 Syr: Heb I prayer

5So they reward me evil for good,

and hatred for my love.

6They say,109.6 Heb lacks They say ‘Appoint a wicked man against him;

let an accuser stand on his right.

7When he is tried, let him be found guilty;

let his prayer be counted as sin.

8May his days be few;

may another seize his position.

9May his children be orphans,

and his wife a widow.

10May his children wander about and beg;

may they be driven out of109.10 Gk: Heb and seek the ruins they inhabit.

11May the creditor seize all that he has;

may strangers plunder the fruits of his toil.

12May there be no one to do him a kindness,

nor anyone to pity his orphaned children.

13May his posterity be cut off;

may his name be blotted out in the second generation.

14May the iniquity of his father109.14 Cn: Heb fathers be remembered before the LORD,

and do not let the sin of his mother be blotted out.

15Let them be before the LORD continually,

and may his109.15 Gk: Heb their memory be cut off from the earth.

16For he did not remember to show kindness,

but pursued the poor and needy

and the broken-hearted to their death.

17He loved to curse; let curses come on him.

He did not like blessing; may it be far from him.

18He clothed himself with cursing as his coat,

may it soak into his body like water,

like oil into his bones.

19May it be like a garment that he wraps around himself,

like a belt that he wears every day.’

20May that be the reward of my accusers from the LORD,

of those who speak evil against my life.

21But you, O LORD my Lord,

act on my behalf for your name's sake;

because your steadfast love is good, deliver me.

22For I am poor and needy,

and my heart is pierced within me.

23I am gone like a shadow at evening;

I am shaken off like a locust.

24My knees are weak through fasting;

my body has become gaunt.

25I am an object of scorn to my accusers;

when they see me, they shake their heads.

26Help me, O LORD my God!

Save me according to your steadfast love.

27Let them know that this is your hand;

you, O LORD, have done it.

28Let them curse, but you will bless.

Let my assailants be put to shame;109.28 Gk: Heb They have risen up and have been put to shame may your servant be glad.

29May my accusers be clothed with dishonour;

may they be wrapped in their own shame as in a mantle.

30With my mouth I will give great thanks to the LORD;

I will praise him in the midst of the throng.

31For he stands at the right hand of the needy,

to save them from those who would condemn them to death.