The Tanakh · JPS 1917 Translation

Psalms 109

Jewish Publication Society 1917 · Ketuvim — the Writings

Psalms chapter 109 — part of the Ketuvim — the Writings in the Jewish Bible. In the classic JPS 1917 translation it opens: “For the Leader. A Psalm of David. O G-d of my praise, keep not silence;” — the complete text of all 31 verses is below, free to read online.

1For the Leader. A Psalm of David. O G-d of my praise, keep not silence;

2For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of deceit have they opened against me; they have spoken unto me with a lying tongue.

3They compassed me about also with words of hatred, and fought against me without a cause.

4In return for my love they are my adversaries; but I am all prayer.

5And they have laid upon me evil for good, and hatred for my love:

6'Set Thou a wicked man over him; and let an adversary stand at his right hand.

7When he is judged, let him go forth condemned; and let his prayer be turned into sin.

8Let his days be few; let another take his charge.

9Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.

10Let his children be vagabonds, and beg; and let them seek their bread out of their desolate places.

11Let the creditor distrain all that he hath; and let strangers make spoil of his labour.

12Let there be none to extend kindness unto him; neither let there be any to be gracious unto his fatherless children.

13Let his posterity be cut off; in the generation following let their name be blotted out.

14Let the iniquity of his fathers be brought to remembrance unto HaShem; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.

15Let them be before HaShem continually, that He may cut off the memory of them from the earth.

16Because that he remembered not to do kindness, but persecuted the poor and needy man, and the broken in heart he was ready to slay.

17Yea, he loved cursing, and it came unto him; and he delighted not in blessing, and it is far from him.

18He clothed himself also with cursing as with his raiment, and it is come into his inward parts like water, and like oil into his bones.

19Let it be unto him as the garment which he putteth on, and for the girdle wherewith he is girded continually.'

20This would mine adversaries effect from HaShem, and they that speak evil against my soul.

21But Thou, O GOD the L-rd, deal with me for Thy name's sake; because Thy mercy is good, deliver Thou me.

22For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.

23I am gone like the shadow when it lengtheneth; I am shaken off as the locust.

24My knees totter through fasting; and my flesh is lean, and hath no fatness.

25I am become also a taunt unto them; when they see me, they shake their head.

26Help me, O HaShem my G-d; O save me according to Thy mercy;

27That they may know that this is Thy hand; that Thou, HaShem, hast done it.

28Let them curse, but bless Thou; when they arise, they shall be put to shame, but Thy servant shall rejoice.

29Mine adversaries shall be clothed with confusion, and shall put on their own shame as a robe.

30I will give great thanks unto HaShem with my mouth; yea, I will praise Him among the multitude;

31Because He standeth at the right hand of the needy, to save him from them that judge his soul.

31 verses · JPS 1917 (public domain)

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