Psalmorum 109
1 In finem. Psalmus David.
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 circumdederunt 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 adversum 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 diabolus stet a dextris ejus.
‘Set over him one who is godless,’ they say, ‘an opponent at his right hand.
7 Cum judicatur, exeat condemnatus; et oratio ejus fiat in peccatum.
From his trial let him come forth guilty, may his prayer be counted as sin.
8 Fiant dies ejus pauci, et episcopatum ejus accipiat alter.
Grant that his days may be few, that his office be seized by another.
9 Fiant filii ejus orphani, et uxor ejus vidua.
Grant that his children be fatherless, and that his wife be a widow.
10 Nutantes transferantur filii ejus et mendicent, et ejiciantur de habitationibus suis.
Up and down may his children go begging, expelled from their desolate home.
11 Scrutetur fœnerator omnem substantiam ejus, et diripiant alieni labores ejus.
May all that he owns be seized by the creditor may strangers plunder the fruits of his toil.
12 Non sit illi adjutor, nec sit qui misereatur pupillis ejus.
‘May none extend to him kindness, or pity his fatherless children.
13 Fiant nati ejus in interitum; in generatione una deleatur nomen ejus.
His descendants be doomed to destruction! Blotted out be his name in one generation!
14 In memoriam redeat iniquitas patrum ejus in conspectu Domini, et peccatum matris ejus 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 compunctum 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 ejus, et sicut oleum in ossibus ejus.
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 præcingitur.
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 est misericordia tua.
But you, Lord my God, be true to your name, deal kindly with me; in your gracious kindness save me.
22 Libera me, quia egenus et pauper ego sum, et cor meum conturbatum est intra me.
For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.
23 Sicut umbra cum declinat ablatus sum, et excussus sum sicut locustæ.
I am gone like a lengthening shadow, I am shaken off like a locust.
24 Genua mea infirmata sunt a jejunio, et caro mea immutata est propter oleum.
My knees totter from fasting, my flesh is shrivelled and spare.
25 Et ego factus sum opprobrium illis; viderunt me, et moverunt capita sua.
They heap insults upon me: when they see me, they shake their head.
26 Adjuva me, Domine Deus meus; salvum me fac secundum misericordiam tuam.
Help me, O Lord my God, and save me in your kindness.
27 Et sciant quia manus tua hæc, et 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 lætabitur.
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 diploide confusione sua.
My opponents be clothed with dishonour, 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 astitit 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.
