1O God whom I praise, keep not silence; for their wicked mouths they have opened against me, they speak to me with tongues that are false,
2they beset me with words of hatred, and fight without cause against me.
3My love they requite with hostility, while for them I lift up my prayer.
4Evil for good they reward me, and hatred for my love.
5“Set over him one who is godless,” they say, “an opponent at his right hand.
6From his trial let him come forth guilty, may his prayer be counted as sin.
7Grant that his days may be few, that his office be seized by another.
8Grant that his children be fatherless, and that his wife be a widow.
9Up and down may his children go begging, expelled from their desolate home.
10May all that he owns be seized by the creditor may strangers plunder the fruits of his toil.
11May none extend to him kindness, or pity his fatherless children.
12His descendants be doomed to destruction! Blotted out be his name in one generation!
13May his father’s guilt be remembered, and his mother’s sin not blotted out:
14on record always before the Lord, and his memory root from the earth;
15for he gave no thought to show kindness, but pursued the poor and the needy, drove the downhearted to death.
16May the curses he loved light upon him, may the blessings he loathed be afar.
17Like a garment he clothed him with curses; may they pierce to his inwards like water, and cling to his bones like oil.
18Let them be like the robe he wraps round him, like the belt he wears every day.”
19Be this the reward of my adversaries, of those who speak evil against me.
20But you, Lord my God, be true to your name, deal kindly with me; in your gracious kindness save me.
21For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.
22I am gone like a lengthening shadow, I am shaken off like a locust.
23My knees totter from fasting, my flesh is shrivelled and spare.
24They heap insults upon me: when they see me, they shake their head.
25Help me, O Lord my God, and save me in your kindness.
26Teach them that this is your hand, and your own doing, O Lord.
27Let them curse, if only you bless. Put my assailants to shame, and make your servant glad.
28My opponents be clothed with dishonour, and wrapped in a robe of shame.
29I give thanks to you, Lord, with loud voice, I give praise in the midst of the throng;
30for he stands by the poor, at his right hand, to save them from those who condemn them.