20 May those curses become the LORD's punishment for my accusers who speak evil of me.
21 But deal well with me, O Sovereign LORD, for the sake of Your own reputation! Rescue me because You are so faithful and good.
22 For I am poor and needy, and my heart is full of pain.
23 I am fading like a shadow at dusk; I am brushed off like a locust.
24 My knees are weak from fasting, and I am skin and bones.
25 I am a joke to people everywhere; when they see me, they shake their heads in scorn.
26 Help me, O LORD my God! Save me because of Your unfailing love.
27 Let them see that this is Your doing, that You Yourself have done it, LORD.
28 Then let them curse me if they like, but You will bless me! When they attack me, they will be disgraced! But I, Your servant, will go right on rejoicing!
29 May my accusers be clothed with disgrace; may their humiliation cover them like a cloak.
30 But I will give repeated thanks to the LORD, praising Him to everyone.
31 For He stands beside the needy, ready to save them from those who condemn them.
This Psalm is an imprecatory psalm, or a cursing psalm. We see the psalmist asking God to curse his enemies. David is not taking vengeance into his own hands, but is asking God to judge the wicked.
As well as crying out for God's justice, this psalm motivates others to take a stand against evil.
While we hate the sin and need God's intervention on our behalf, we are still are called to love the sinner.
