[1] To the chief music-maker. Of David. A Psalm. God of my praise, let my
prayer be answered; [2] For the mouth of the sinner is open against me in
deceit: his tongue has said false things against me. [3] Words of hate are
round about me; they have made war against me without cause. [4] For my
love they give me back hate; but I have given myself to prayer. [5] They
have put on me evil for good; hate in exchange for my love. [6] Put an evil
man over him; and let one be placed at his right hand to say evil of him.
[7] When he is judged, let the decision go against him; and may his prayer
become sin. [8] Let his life be short; let another take his position of
authority. [9] Let his children have no father, and his wife be made a
widow. [10] Let his children be wanderers, looking to others for their
food; let them be sent away from the company of their friends. [11] Let his
creditor take all his goods; and let others have the profit of his work.
[12] Let no man have pity on him, or give help to his children when he is
dead. [13] Let his seed be cut off; in the coming generation let their name
go out of memory. [14] Let the Lord keep in mind the wrongdoing of his
fathers; and may the sin of his mother have no forgiveness. [15] Let them
be ever before the eyes of the Lord, so that the memory of them may be cut
off from the earth. [16] Because he had no mercy, but was cruel to the low
and the poor, designing the death of the broken-hearted. [17] As he took
pleasure in cursing, so let it come on him; and as he had no delight in
blessing, let it be far from him. [18] He put on cursing like a robe, and
it has come into his body like water, and into his bones like oil. [19] Let
it be to him as a robe which he puts on, let it be like a band which is
round him at all times. [20] Let this be the reward given to my haters from
the Lord, and to those who say evil of my soul. [21] But, O Lord God, give
me your help, because of your name; take me out of danger, because your
mercy is good. [22] For I am poor and in need, and my heart is wounded in
me. [23] I am gone like the shade when it is stretched out: I am forced out
of my place like a locust. [24] My knees are feeble for need of food; there
is no fat on my bones. [25] As for me, they make sport of me; shaking their
heads when they see me. [26] Give me help, O Lord my God; in your mercy be
my saviour; [27] So that they may see that it is the work of your hand;
that you, Lord, have done it. [28] They may give curses but you give
blessing; when they come up against me, put them to shame; but let your
servant be glad. [29] Let my haters be clothed with shame, covering
themselves with shame as with a robe. [30] I will give the Lord great
praise with my mouth; yes, I will give praise to him among all the people.
[31] For he is ever at the right hand of the poor, to take him out of the
hands of those who go after his soul.
