Psalm 35

By David.

1O Lord, fight those who fight with me!

Attack those who attack me!

2Grab your small shield and large shield,

and rise up to help me!

3Use your spear and lance against those who chase me!

Assure me with these words: “I am your deliverer!”

4May those who seek my life be embarrassed and humiliated!

May those who plan to harm me be turned back and ashamed!

5May they be like wind-driven chaff,

as the Lord’s angel attacks them!

6May their path be dark and slippery,

as the Lord’s angel chases them!

7I did not harm them, but they hid a net to catch me

and dug a pit to trap me.

8Let destruction take them by surprise!

Let the net they hid catch them!

Let them fall into destruction!

9Then I will rejoice in the Lord

and be happy because of his deliverance.

10With all my strength I will say,

“O Lord, who can compare to you?

You rescue the oppressed from those who try to overpower them;

the oppressed and needy from those who try to rob them.”

11Violent men perjure themselves,

and falsely accuse me.

12They repay me evil for the good I have done;

I am overwhelmed with sorrow.

13When they were sick, I wore sackcloth,

and refrained from eating food.

(If I am lying, may my prayers go unanswered!)

14I mourned for them as I would for a friend or my brother.

I bowed down in sorrow as if I were mourning for my mother.

15But when I stumbled, they rejoiced and gathered together;

they gathered together to ambush me.

They tore at me without stopping to rest.

16When I tripped, they taunted me relentlessly,

and tried to bite me.

17O Lord, how long are you going to just stand there and watch this?

Rescue me from their destructive attacks;

guard my life from the young lions!

18Then I will give you thanks in the great assembly;

I will praise you before a large crowd of people!

19Do not let those who are my enemies for no reason gloat over me!

Do not let those who hate me without cause carry out their wicked schemes!

20For they do not try to make peace with others,

but plan ways to deceive those who are unsuspecting.

21They are ready to devour me;

they say, “Aha! Aha! We’ve got you!”

22But you take notice, Lord!

O Lord, do not remain far away from me!

23Rouse yourself, wake up and vindicate me!

My God and Lord, defend my just cause!

24Vindicate me by your justice, O Lord my God!

Do not let them gloat over me!

25Do not let them say to themselves, “Aha! We have what we wanted!”

Do not let them say, “We have devoured him!”

26May those who want to harm me be totally embarrassed and ashamed!

May those who arrogantly taunt me be covered with shame and humiliation!

27May those who desire my vindication shout for joy and rejoice!

May they continually say, “May the Lord be praised, for he wants his servant to be secure.”

28Then I will tell others about your justice,

and praise you all day long.