1[For the choir director; a psalm by David.] O God, whom I praise, do not turn a deaf ear to me.

2Wicked and deceitful people have opened their mouths against me. They speak against me with lying tongues.

3They surround me with hateful words. They fight against me for no reason.

4In return for my love, they accuse me, but I pray for them.

5They reward me with evil instead of good and with hatred instead of love.

6[I said,] "Appoint the evil one to oppose him. Let Satan stand beside him.

7When he stands trial, let him be found guilty. Let his prayer be considered sinful.

8Let his days be few [in number]. Let someone else take his position.

9"Let his children become fatherless and his wife a widow.

10Let his children wander around and beg. Let them seek help far from their ruined homes.

11Let a creditor take everything he owns. Let strangers steal what he has worked for.

12Let no one be kind to him anymore. Let no one show any pity to his fatherless children.

13Let his descendants be cut off and their family name be wiped out by the next generation.

14Let the LORD remember the guilt of his ancestors and not wipe out his mother's sin.

15Let their guilt and sin always remain on record in front of the LORD. Let the LORD remove every memory of him from the earth,

16because he did not remember to be kind. "He drove oppressed, needy, and brokenhearted people to their graves.

17He loved to put curses [on others], so he, too, was cursed. He did not like to bless [others], so he never received a blessing.

18He wore cursing as though it were clothing, so cursing entered his body like water and his bones like oil.

19Let cursing be his clothing, a belt he always wears."

20This is how the LORD rewards those who accuse me, those who say evil things against me.

21O LORD Almighty, deal with me out of the goodness of your name. Rescue me because of your mercy.

22I am oppressed and needy. I can feel the pain in my heart.

23I fade away like a lengthening shadow. I have been shaken off like a grasshopper.

24My knees give way because I have been fasting. My body has become lean, without any fat.

25I have become the victim of my enemies' insults. They look at me and shake their heads.

26Help me, O LORD my God. Save me because of your mercy.

27Then they will know that this is your doing, that you, O LORD, are the one who saved me.

28They may curse, but you will bless. Let those who attack me be ashamed, but let me rejoice.

29Let those who accuse me wear disgrace as though it were clothing. Let them be wrapped in their shame as though it were a robe.

30With my mouth I will give many thanks to the LORD. I will praise him among many people,

31because he stands beside needy people to save them from those who would condemn them to death.