Chapter 35
1 Contend , LORD , with those who contend with me. Fight against those who fight against me.
2 Take hold of shield and buckler , and stand up for my help .
3 Brandish the spear and block those who pursue me . Tell my soul , " I am your salvation ."
4 Let those who seek after my soul be disappointed and brought to dishonour. Let those who plot my ruin be turned back and confounded .
5 Let them be as chaff before the wind , the LORD ’s angel driving them on .
6 Let their way be dark and slippery , the LORD ’s angel pursuing them .
7 For without cause they have hidden their net in a pit for me . Without cause they have dug a pit for my soul .
8 Let destruction come on him unawares . Let his net that he has hidden catch himself . Let him fall into that destruction .
9 My soul shall be joyful in the LORD . It shall rejoice in his salvation .
10 All my bones shall say, " LORD , who is like you , who delivers the poor from him who is too strong for him ; yes, the poor and the needy from him who robs him ?"
11 Unrighteous witnesses rise up . They ask me about things that I don’t know about .
12 They reward me evil for good , to the bereaving of my soul .
13 But as for me , when they were sick , my clothing was sackcloth . I afflicted my soul with fasting . My prayer returned into my own bosom .
14 I behaved myself as though it had been my friend or my brother . I bowed down mourning , as one who mourns his mother.
15 But in my adversity , they rejoiced , and gathered themselves together . The attackers gathered themselves together against me , and I didn’t know it . They tore at me , and didn’t cease .
16 Like the profane mockers in feasts , they gnashed their teeth at me .
17 Lord, how long will you look on ? Rescue my soul from their destruction , my precious life from the lions .
18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly . I will praise you amongst many people .
19 Don’t let those who are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me ; neither let those who hate me without a cause wink their eyes .
20 For they don’t speak peace , but they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.
21 Yes , they opened their mouth wide against me . They said , " Aha ! Aha ! Our eye has seen it !"
22 You have seen it , LORD . Don’t keep silent . Lord , don’t be far from me .
23 Wake up ! Rise up to defend me , my God! My Lord, contend for me !
24 Vindicate me , LORD my God , according to your righteousness . Don’t let them gloat over me .
25 Don’t let them say in their heart , " Aha ! That ’s the way we want it !" Don’t let them say, " We have swallowed him up !"
26 Let them be disappointed and confounded together who rejoice at my calamity . Let them be clothed with shame and dishonour who magnify themselves against me .
27 Let those who favour my righteous cause shout for joy and be glad . Yes, let them say continually , " May the LORD be magnified , who has pleasure in the prosperity of his servant !"
28 My tongue shall talk about your righteousness and about your praise all day long .