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.
Collect of the Day – Proper 21
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
