Psalms 35:1-28

Psalm 35

By David.

35:1 O Lord, fight those who fight with me!

Attack those who attack me!

35:2 Grab your small shield and large shield,

and rise up to help me!

35:3 Use your spear and lance against those who chase me!

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

35:4 May those who seek my life be embarrassed and humiliated!

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

35:5 May they be like wind-driven chaff,

as the Lord’s angel attacks them!

35:6 May their path be dark and slippery,

as the Lord’s angel chases them!

35:7 I did not harm them, but they hid a net to catch me

and dug a pit to trap me.

35:8 Let destruction take them by surprise!

Let the net they hid catch them!

Let them fall into destruction!

35:9 Then I will rejoice in the Lord

and be happy because of his deliverance.

35:10 With 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.”

35:11 Violent men perjure themselves,

and falsely accuse me.

35:12 They repay me evil for the good I have done;

I am overwhelmed with sorrow.

35:13 When they were sick, I wore sackcloth,

and refrained from eating food.

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

35:14 I 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.

35:15 But when I stumbled, they rejoiced and gathered together;

they gathered together to ambush me.

They tore at me without stopping to rest.

35:16 When I tripped, they taunted me relentlessly,

and tried to bite me.

35:17 O 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!

35:18 Then I will give you thanks in the great assembly;

I will praise you before a large crowd of people!

35:19 Do 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!

35:20 For they do not try to make peace with others,

but plan ways to deceive those who are unsuspecting.

35:21 They are ready to devour me;

they say, “Aha! Aha! We’ve got you!”

35:22 But you take notice, Lord!

O Lord, do not remain far away from me!

35:23 Rouse yourself, wake up and vindicate me!

My God and Lord, defend my just cause!

35:24 Vindicate me by your justice, O Lord my God!

Do not let them gloat over me!

35:25 Do not let them say to themselves, “Aha! We have what we wanted!”

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

35:26 May those who want to harm me be totally embarrassed and ashamed!

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

35:27 May 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.”

35:28 Then I will tell others about your justice,

and praise you all day long.