1 God, whom I praise, do not be silent, ISV — Psalm 109:1
2 for the mouths of wicked and deceitful people are opened against me; they speak against me with lying tongues. ISV — Psalm 109:2
3 They surround me with hate-filled words, attacking me for no reason. ISV — Psalm 109:3
4 Instead of receiving a109:4 The Heb. lacks receiving my love, they accuse me, though I continue in prayer. ISV — Psalm 109:4
5 They devise evil against me instead of good, and hatred in place of my love. ISV — Psalm 109:5
6 Appoint an evil person over him; may an accuser stand at his right side. b109:6 Lit. hand ISV — Psalm 109:6
7 When he is judged, may he be found guilty; may his prayer be regarded as sin. ISV — Psalm 109:7
8 May his days be few; may another take over his position. c109:8 Or office ISV — Psalm 109:8
9 May his children become fatherless, and his wife a widow. ISV — Psalm 109:9
10 May his children roam around begging, seeking food d109:10 The Heb. lacks food while driven far e109:10 So LXX; the Heb. lacks while driven far from their ruined homes. ISV — Psalm 109:10
11 May creditors seize all his possessions, and may foreigners loot the property he has acquired. f109:11 Or the result of his labor ISV — Psalm 109:11
12 May no one extend gracious love to him, or show favor to his fatherless children. ISV — Psalm 109:12
13 May his descendants g109:13 Lit. May those after him be eliminated, and their memory h109:13 Or their name be erased from the next generation. ISV — Psalm 109:13
14 May his ancestors’ guilt be remembered in the LORD’s presence, and may his mother’s guilt not be erased. ISV — Psalm 109:14
15 May what i109:15 The Heb. lacks what they have done j109:15 The Heb. lacks have done be continually in the LORD’s presence; and may their memory be excised from the earth. ISV — Psalm 109:15
16 For he didn’t think to extend gracious love; he harassed to death the poor, the needy, and the broken hearted. k109:16 Or downhearted ISV — Psalm 109:16
17 He loved to curse—may his curses l109:17 Lit. may it return upon him! He took no delight in blessing others m109:17 The Heb. lacks others — so may blessings n109:17 Lit. it be far from him. ISV — Psalm 109:17
18 He wore curses like a garment— may they o109:18 Lit. it enter his inner being like water and his bones like oil. ISV — Psalm 109:18
19 May those curses p109:19 Lit. may it wrap around him like a garment, or like a belt that one always wears. ISV — Psalm 109:19
20 May this be the way the LORD repays my accuser, those who speak evil against me. ISV — Psalm 109:20
21 Now you, LORD my God, defend q109:21 Lit. God, do to me for your name’s sake; because your gracious love is good, deliver me! ISV — Psalm 109:21
22 Indeed, I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me. ISV — Psalm 109:22
23 I am fading r109:23 Or walking away like a shadow late in the day; I am shaken off like a locust. ISV — Psalm 109:23
24 My knees give way s109:24 Or knees stagger from fasting, and my skin is lean, deprived of oil. ISV — Psalm 109:24
25 I have become an object of derision to them— they shake their heads whenever they see me. ISV — Psalm 109:25
26 Help me, LORD my God! Deliver me in accord with your gracious love! ISV — Psalm 109:26
27 Then they will realize that your hand is in this— that you, LORD, have accomplished it. ISV — Psalm 109:27
28 They will curse, but you will bless. When they attack, t109:28 Lit. arise they will u109:28 So MT DSS 4QPs 11QPs; LXX reads arise, let my opponents be humiliated, while your servant rejoices. ISV — Psalm 109:28
29 May my accusers be clothed with shame and wrapped in their humiliation as with a robe. ISV — Psalm 109:29
30 I will give many thanks to the LORD with my mouth, praising him publicly, ISV — Psalm 109:30
31 for he stands v109:31 So MT; LXX DSS 11QPs read he has stood at the right hand of the needy one, to deliver him from his accusers. w109:31 Or from those who condemn him ISV — Psalm 109:31