(A psalm by David for the music leader.)

A Prayer for the Lord's Help

1I praise you, God!

Don't keep silent.

2Destructive and deceitful lies

are told about me,

3and hateful things are said

for no reason.

4I had pity and prayed+

for my enemies,

but their words to me

were harsh and cruel.

5For being friendly and kind,

they paid me back

with meanness and hatred.

6My enemies said,

“Find some worthless fools

to accuse him of a crime.

7Try him and find him guilty!

Consider his prayers a lie.

8 Cut his life short

and let someone else

have his job.

9Make orphans of his children

and a widow of his wife;

10make his children beg for food

and live in the slums.

11“Let the people he owes

take everything he owns.

Give it all to strangers.

12Don't let anyone be kind to him

or have pity on the children

he leaves behind.

13Bring an end to his family,

and from now on let him be

a forgotten man.

14“Don't let the Lord forgive

the sins of his parents

and his ancestors.

15Don't let the Lord forget

the sins of his family,

or let anyone remember

his family ever lived.

16He was so cruel to the poor,

homeless, and discouraged

that they died young.

17“He cursed others.

Now place a curse on him!

He never wished others well.

Wish only trouble for him!

18He cursed others more often

than he dressed himself.

Let his curses strike him deep,

just as water and olive oil

soak through to our bones.

19Let his curses surround him,

just like the belt and clothes

he wears each day.”

20Those are the cruel things

my enemies wish for me.

Let it all happen to them!

21Be true to your name, Lord God!

Show your great kindness

and rescue me.

22I am poor and helpless,

and I have lost all hope.

23I am fading away

like an evening shadow;

I am tossed aside

like a crawling insect.

24I have gone without eating,+

until my knees are weak,

and my body is bony.

25 When my enemies see me,

they say cruel things

and shake their heads.

26Please help me, Lord God!

Come and save me

because of your love.

27Let others know that you alone

have saved me.

28I don't care if they curse me,

as long as you bless me.

You will make my enemies fail

when they attack,

and you will make me glad

to be your servant.

29You will cover them with shame,

just as their bodies

are covered with clothes.

30I will sing your praises

and thank you, Lord,

when your people meet.

31You help everyone in need,

and you save them from death.