Psalm 109
1Hold not your tongue, O God of my praise; *
for the mouth of the wicked,
the mouth of the deceitful, is opened against me.
2They speak to me with a lying tongue; *
they encompass me with hateful words
and fight against me without a cause.
3Despite my love, they accuse me; *
but as for me, I pray for them.
4They repay evil for good, *
and hatred for my love.
5Set a wicked man against him, *
and let an accuser stand at his right hand.
6When he is judged, let him be found guilty, *
and let his appeal be in vain.
7Let his days be few, *
and let another take his office.
8Let his children be fatherless, *
and his wife become a widow.
9Let his children be waifs and beggars; *
let them be driven from the ruins of their homes.
10Let the creditor seize everything he has; *
let strangers plunder his gains.
11Let there be no one to show him kindness, *
and none to pity his fatherless children.
12Let his descendants be destroyed, *
and his name be blotted out in the next generation.
13Let the wickedness of his fathers be remembered before
the LORD, *
and his mother’s sin not be blotted out;
14Let their sin be always before the LORD; *
but let him root out their names from the earth;
15Because he did not remember to show mercy, *
but persecuted the poor and needy
and sought to kill the brokenhearted.
16He loved cursing,
let it come upon him; *
he took no delight in blessing,
let it depart from him.
17He put on cursing like a garment, *
let it soak into his body like water
and into his bones like oil;
18Let it be to him like the cloak which he
wraps around himself, *
and like the belt that he wears continually.
19Let this be the recompense from the LORD to my accusers, *
and to those who speak evil against me.
20But you, O Lord my God,
oh, deal with me according to your Name; *
for your tender mercy’s sake, deliver me.
21For I am poor and needy, *
and my heart is wounded within me.
22I have faded away like a shadow when it lengthens; *
I am shaken off like a locust.
23My knees are weak through fasting, *
and my flesh is wasted and gaunt.
24I have become a reproach to them; *
they see and shake their heads.
25Help me, O LORD my God; *
save me for your mercy’s sake.
26Let them know that this is your hand, *
that you, O LORD, have done it.
27They may curse, but you will bless; *
let those who rise up against me be put to shame,
and your servant will rejoice.
28Let my accusers be clothed with disgrace *
and wrap themselves in their shame as in a cloak.
29I will give great thanks to the LORD with my mouth; *
in the midst of the multitude will I praise him;
30Because he stands at the right hand of the needy, *
to save his life from those who would condemn him.
A Daily Prayer for our Country
Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech you that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion us into one united people. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in your Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in you to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
