[1] O God, whom I praise, don’t stand silent and aloof
[2] while the wicked slander me and tell lies about me.
[3] They surround me with hateful words and fight against me for no reason.
[4] I love them, but they try to destroy me with accusations even as I am praying for them!
[5] They repay evil for good, and hatred for my love.
[6] They say, “Get an evil person to turn against him. Send an accuser to bring him to trial.
[7] When his case comes up for judgment, let him be pronounced guilty. Count his prayers as sins.
[8] Let his years be few; let someone else take his position.
[9] May his children become fatherless, and his wife a widow.
[10] May his children wander as beggars and be driven from their ruined homes.
[11] May creditors seize his entire estate, and strangers take all he has earned.
[12] Let no one be kind to him; let no one pity his fatherless children.
[13] May all his offspring die. May his family name be blotted out in the next generation.
[14] May the Lord never forget the sins of his fathers; may his mother’s sins never be erased from the record.
[15] May the Lord always remember these sins, and may his name disappear from human memory.
[16] For he refused all kindness to others; he persecuted the poor and needy, and he hounded the brokenhearted to death.
[17] He loved to curse others; now you curse him. He never blessed others; now don’t you bless him.
[18] Cursing is as natural to him as his clothing, or the water he drinks, or the rich food he eats.
[19] Now may his curses return and cling to him like clothing; may they be tied around him like a belt.”
[20] May those curses become the Lord’s punishment for my accusers who speak evil of me.
[21] But deal well with me, O Sovereign Lord, for the sake of your own reputation! Rescue me because you are so faithful and good.
[22] For I am poor and needy, and my heart is full of pain.
[23] I am fading like a shadow at dusk; I am brushed off like a locust.
[24] My knees are weak from fasting, and I am skin and bones.
[25] I am a joke to people everywhere; when they see me, they shake their heads in scorn.
[26] Help me, O Lord my God! Save me because of your unfailing love.
[27] Let them see that this is your doing, that you yourself have done it, Lord.
[28] Then let them curse me if they like, but you will bless me! When they attack me, they will be disgraced! But I, your servant, will go right on rejoicing!
[29] May my accusers be clothed with disgrace; may their humiliation cover them like a cloak.
[30] But I will give repeated thanks to the Lord, praising him to everyone.
[31] For he stands beside the needy, ready to save them from those who condemn them.