1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. God, whom I praise, do not remain silent,
2because wicked and deceitful people have spoken lies about me. They have used lying words against me.
3They have surrounded me with words of hatred and attacked me for no reason.
4In return for my love, they oppose me, but I continue to pray.
5They have repaid me with evil for good, and with hatred for my love.
6Appoint a wicked person over him; let an accuser stand at his right side.
7When he is judged, let him be found guilty; let his prayer be counted as sin.
8Let his life be short; let someone else take his position.
9Let his children be fatherless and his wife a widow.
10Let his children wander as beggars; let them be driven from their ruined homes.
11Let a creditor seize everything he owns; let strangers steal what he has worked for.
12Let no one show him kindness, and let no one pity his fatherless children.
13Let his descendants be cut off; let their name be erased in the next generation.
14Let Yahweh remember the sins of his ancestors; let the sin of his mother never be forgotten.
15Let their sins always be before Yahweh, so that he may wipe out their memory from the earth.
16because he did not care about showing kindness, but instead attacked the poor and needy, and those with broken hearts, intending to kill them.
17Yes, he loved to curse others, and those curses actually happened to him. He did not enjoy blessing others, so blessings stayed far away from him.
18He dressed himself in curses as if they were his clothes. Curses entered his body like water and like oil soaking into his bones.
19May these curses be like the clothes he wears, or like the belt he always has around him.
20This is the punishment from Yahweh for my enemies, for those who speak evil about me.
21But Yahweh the Lord, deal with me for the sake of your reputation. Because your loyal love is good, rescue me.
22for I am poor and in need. My heart is wounded inside me.
23I fade away like a fading evening shadow. I am shaken off like a locust.
24My knees are weak from fasting. My body is thin and has no fat.
25I have also become an insult to them. When they see me, they shake their heads in scorn.
26Help me, Yahweh, my God. Save me because of your loyal love;
27so that they may know that this is your doing; that you, Yahweh, have done it.
28They may curse, but you bless. When they rise up against me, they will be shamed, but your servant will rejoice.
29Let my enemies be covered with disgrace. Let them wrap themselves in their own shame as if it were a robe.
30I will give great thanks to Yahweh with my mouth. Yes, I will praise him among many people.
31For he will stand by the side of the needy person to save him from those who condemn him.