1 O God, whom I praise, be not indifferent,
2 for ungodly and false men slander me, and speak lies about me.
3 They surrounded me with hateful words; attacked me for no reason.
4 In exchange for my friendship they accuse me, but I remain in prayer.
5 They repay me good for evil, and my friendship for hate.
6 Appoint a wicked man to be your opponent; on his right is an accuser.
7 Be found guilty at the judgment, and let even your prayer be considered sin.
8 Let your life be short, and let another take its place.
9 Let his children be orphans and his wife a widow.
10 Let your children wander like beggars, and go looking for bread far from their ruined houses.
11 Let a creditor take all your goods, and strangers plunder the fruit of your labor.
12 Let no one treat him kindly or show mercy to his orphaned children.
13 Let their descendants be destroyed and their names disappear in the next generation.
14 May the Lord remember the iniquity of his fathers, and may not the sin of his mother be blotted out.
15 Let your sins always be before the Lord, and no one on earth will ever remember your family.
16 For he never thought to do a deed of kindness, but he persecuted the poor, the needy, and the brokenhearted to death.
17 He liked to curse: let the curse come upon him! He had no pleasure in blessing: let the blessing depart from him!
18 He wore the curse like a garment: it enters his body like water and his bones like oil.
19 Wrap it like a cloak and always fasten it like a belt.
20 So may the LORD repay my accusers, those who slander me.
21 But you, Sovereign Lord, intervene on my behalf for your name's sake. Deliver me, for your loyal love is sublime!
22 I am poor and needy, and deep inside my heart is broken.
23 I am wasting away like the evening shadow; I am thrown far away like a locust.
24 From so much fasting, my knees weaken and my body languishes with thinness.
25 I am a mockery to my accusers; as soon as they see me, they shake their heads.
26 Help, Lord my God! Save me for your loyal love!
27 Let them recognize that it was your hand, that it was you, Lord, that made it.
28 They may curse, but you bless me. When they attack, they will be humiliated, but your servant will rejoice.
29 Let my accusers be clothed in dishonor; let shame cover them like a cloak.
30 With a loud voice I will give many thanks to the Lord; in the midst of the assembly I will praise him,
31 for he takes the side of the poor to save him from those who condemn him.