1 For the choir director: A psalm of David. O God, whom I praise, don't stand silent and aloof
2 while the wicked slander me and tell lies about me. 3 They are all around me with their hateful words, and they fight against me for no reason.
4 I love them, but they try to destroy me-- even as I am praying for them!
5 They return evil for good, and hatred for my love.
6 Arrange for an evil person to turn on him. Send an accuser to bring him to trial.
7 When his case is called for judgment, let him be pronounced guilty. Count his prayers as sins.
8 Let his years be few; let his position be given to someone else.
9 May his children become fatherless, and may his wife become a widow.
10 May his children wander as beggars; may they be evicted from their ruined homes.
11 May creditors seize his entire estate, and strangers take all he has earned.
12 Let no one be kind to him; let no one pity his fatherless children.
13 May all his offspring die. May his family name be blotted out in a single generation.
14 May the LORD never forget the sins of his ancestors; may his mother's sins never be erased from the record.
15 May these sins always remain before the LORD, but may his name be cut off from human memory.
16 For he refused all kindness to others; he persecuted the poor and needy, and he hounded the brokenhearted to death.
17 He loved to curse others; now you curse him. He never blessed others; now don't you bless him.
18 Cursing is as much a part of him as his clothing, or as the water he drinks, or the rich food he eats.
19 Now may his curses return and cling to him like clothing; may they be tied around him like a belt.
Like David's accusers, when we are threatened, hurt, or angered, we can justify some pretty ungodly behavior towards others. In this psalm there are about fifteen ways they want to see David harmed (v. 5-19).
The psalmist's attitude shown in verses 4 & 5 is a great challenge for us to embrace. He is living out what Jesus later taught in Matthew 5:44-45, "Love your enemies, pray for those that persecute you. In that way you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven."
If you are currently wishing ill will towards another who has wronged you, give it to God and ask Him to help you to be a "true child" in your attitude toward them!
