Psalms 35
1 Of David. Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.
2 Take up shield and large shield, and rise to help me.
3 Draw the spear and block the way before those who pursue me; say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”
4 May those who seek my life be put to shame and humiliated; may those who plot my harm turn back in disgrace.
5 May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away.
6 May their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.
7 For without cause they hid their net’s pit for me; without cause they dug a hole for my life.
8 May ruin come upon him without warning; may the net he hid catch him, and may he fall into it—to his ruin.
9 Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation.
10 All my bones will say, “LORD, who is like you, who rescues the poor from one stronger than they, the poor and needy from those who rob them?”
11 Violent witnesses rise up and question me about things I do not know.
12 They repay me evil for good—a grief to my soul.
13 But when they were ill, I wore sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, and my prayer returned to my own heart.
14 I walked about as if grieving for a friend or brother; bent over in mourning, as one who weeps for his mother.
15 But when I stumbled, they rejoiced and gathered together; attackers joined against me, though I did not know it. They tore at me without ceasing.
16 Like godless mockers at a feast, they gnashed their teeth at me.
17 Lord, how long will you look on? Bring my life back from their destruction, my only life from among the lions.
18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among a numerous people I will praise you.
19 May those who are my enemies without cause not rejoice over me; may those who hate me without reason not wink at me.
20 For they do not speak of peace; against those who live quietly in the land, they devise deceitful words.
21 They open their mouths wide against me and say, “Aha! Aha! Our eyes have seen it.”
22 You have seen, LORD; do not be silent. Lord, do not stay far from me.
23 Wake up and rise to my defense, my God and Lord, to plead my cause.
24 Judge me according to your righteousness, LORD my God, and let them not rejoice over me.
25 May they not say in their hearts, “Aha! Just what we wanted!” May they not say, “We have swallowed him up.”
26 May all who rejoice at my misfortune be put to shame and disgraced; may those who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and humiliation.
27 May those who desire my vindication sing and rejoice; may they say always, “Great is the LORD, who delights in the well-being of his servant.”
28 And my tongue will speak of your righteousness and your praise all day long.
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