1 God, I praise you. Don't remain silent.
2 Sinful people who lie and cheat have spoken against me. They have used their tongues to tell lies about me.
3 They gather all around me with their words of hatred. They attack me without any reason.
4 They bring charges against me, even though I love them and pray for them.
5 They pay me back with evil for the good things I do. They pay back my love with hatred.
6 Appoint an evil person to take my enemies to court. Let him stand at their right hand and bring charges against them.
7 When they are tried, let them be found guilty. May even their prayers judge them.
8 May their days be few. Let others take their places as leaders.
9 May their children's fathers die. May their wives become widows.
10 May their children be driven from their destroyed homes. May they wander around like beggars.
11 May everything those people own be taken away to pay for what they owe. May strangers rob them of everything they've worked for.
12 May no one be kind to them or take pity on the children they leave behind.
13 May their family line come to an end. May their names be forgotten by those who live after them.
14 May the Lord remember the evil things their fathers have done. May he never erase the sins of their mothers.
15 May the Lord never forget their sins. Then he won't let people remember those sinners anymore.
16 They never thought about doing anything kind. Instead, they drove those who were poor and needy to their deaths. They did the same thing to those whose hearts were broken.
17 They loved to call down curses on others. May their curses come back on them. They didn't find any pleasure in giving anyone their blessing. May no blessing ever come to them.
18 They called down curses on others as easily as they put on clothes. Cursing was as natural to them as getting a drink of water or putting olive oil on their bodies.
19 May their curses cover them like coats. May their curses be wrapped around them like a belt forever.
20 May that be the Lord's way of paying back those who bring charges against me. May it happen to those who say evil things about me.
21 But Lord and King, be true to your name. Treat me well. Because your love is so good, save me.
22 I am poor and needy. My heart is wounded deep down inside me.
23 I fade away like an evening shadow. I'm like a locust that someone brushes off.
24 My knees are weak because I've gone without food. My body is very thin.
25 Those who bring charges against me laugh at me. When they see me, they shake their heads at me.
26 Lord my God, help me. Save me because you love me.
27 Lord, let my enemies know that you yourself have saved me. You have done it with your own hand.
28 They may call down a curse on me. But you will give me your blessing. When they attack me, they will be put to shame. But I will be filled with joy.
29 Those who bring charges against me will be clothed with dishonor. They will be wrapped in shame as if it were a coat.
30 With my mouth I will continually praise the Lord. I will praise him when all of his people gather for worship.