Psalmorum 109
1 in finem David psalmus
For the leader. Of David, a psalm. O God whom I praise, keep not silence;
2 Deus laudem meam ne tacueris quia os peccatoris et os dolosi super me apertum est
for their wicked mouths they have opened against me, they speak to me with tongues that are false,
3 locuti sunt adversum me lingua dolosa et sermonibus odii circuierunt me et expugnaverunt me gratis
they beset me with words of hatred, and fight without cause against me.
4 pro eo ut me diligerent detrahebant mihi ego autem orabam
My love they requite with hostility, while for them I lift up my prayer.
5 et posuerunt adversus me mala pro bonis et odium pro dilectione mea
Evil for good they reward me, and hatred for my love.
6 constitue super eum peccatorem et diabulus stet a dextris eius
“Set over him one who is godless,” they say, “an opponent at his right hand.
7 cum iudicatur exeat condemnatus et oratio eius fiat in peccatum
From his trial let him come forth guilty, may his prayer be counted as sin.
8 fiant dies eius pauci et episcopatum eius accipiat alter
Grant that his days may be few, that his office be seized by another.
9 fiant filii eius orfani et uxor eius vidua
Grant that his children be fatherless, and that his wife be a widow.
10 nutantes transferantur filii eius et mendicent eiciantur de habitationibus suis
Up and down may his children go begging, expelled from their desolate home.
11 scrutetur fenerator omnem substantiam eius et diripiant alieni labores eius
May all that he owns be seized by the creditor may strangers plunder the fruits of his toil.
12 non sit illi adiutor nec sit qui misereatur pupillis eius
“May none extend to him kindness, or pity his fatherless children.
13 fiant nati eius in interitum in generatione una deleatur nomen eius
His descendants be doomed to destruction! Blotted out be his name in one generation!
14 in memoriam redeat iniquitas patrum eius in conspectu Domini et peccatum matris eius non deleatur
May his father’s guilt be remembered, and his mother’s sin not blotted out:
15 fiant contra Dominum semper et dispereat de terra memoria eorum
on record always before the Lord, and his memory root from the earth;
16 pro eo quod non est recordatus facere misericordiam
for he gave no thought to show kindness, but pursued the poor and the needy, drove the downhearted to death.
17 et persecutus est hominem inopem et mendicum et conpunctum corde mortificare
“May the curses he loved light upon him, may the blessings he loathed be afar.
18 et dilexit maledictionem et veniet ei et noluit benedictionem et elongabitur ab eo et induit maledictionem sicut vestimentum et intravit sicut aqua in interiora eius et sicut oleum in ossibus eius
Like a garment he clothed him with curses; may they pierce to his inwards like water, and cling to his bones like oil.
19 fiat ei sicut vestimentum quo operitur et sicut zona qua semper praecingitur
Let them be like the robe he wraps round him, like the belt he wears every day.”
20 hoc opus eorum qui detrahunt mihi apud Dominum et qui loquuntur mala adversus animam meam
Be this the reward of my adversaries, of those who speak evil against me.
21 et tu Domine Domine fac mecum propter nomen tuum quia suavis misericordia tua libera me
But you, Lord my God, be true to your name, deal kindly with me; in your gracious kindness save me.
22 quia egenus et pauper ego sum et cor meum turbatum est intra me
For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.
23 sicut umbra cum declinat ablatus sum excussus sum sicut lucustae
I am gone like a lengthening shadow, I am shaken off like a locust.
24 genua mea infirmata sunt a ieiunio et caro mea inmutata est propter oleum
My knees totter from fasting, my flesh is shrivelled and spare.
25 et ego factus sum obprobrium illis viderunt me moverunt capita sua
They heap insults upon me: when they see me, they shake their head.
26 adiuva me Domine Deus meus salvum fac me secundum misericordiam tuam
Help me, O Lord my God, and save me in your kindness.
27 et sciant quia manus tua haec tu Domine fecisti eam
Teach them that this is your hand, and your own doing, O Lord.
28 maledicent illi et tu benedices qui insurgunt in me confundantur servus autem tuus laetabitur
Let them curse, if only you bless. Put my assailants to shame, and make your servant glad.
29 induantur qui detrahunt mihi pudore et operiantur sicut deploide confusione sua
My opponents be clothed with dishonor, and wrapped in a robe of shame.
30 confitebor Domino nimis in ore meo et in medio multorum laudabo eum
I give thanks to you, Lord, with loud voice, I give praise in the midst of the throng;
31 quia adstetit a dextris pauperis ut salvam faceret a persequentibus animam meam
for he stands by the poor, at his right hand, to save them from those who condemn them.
