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

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

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

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

5 They 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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