Psalms 35

Of David.

1Contend, O Yahweh, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.

2Take hold of shield and large shield, and rise up to help me.

3Draw the spear and block the way against those who pursue me; say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”

4Let those who seek my life be put to shame and humiliated; let those who devise my harm turn back and be disgraced.

5May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of Yahweh driving them away.

6May their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of Yahweh pursuing them.

7For without cause they hid a pit for me—their net; without cause they dug it for my life.

8Let destruction come upon him unawares, and let the net that he hid catch him; let him fall into it—to destruction.

9Then my soul will rejoice in Yahweh; it will exult in his salvation.

10All my bones will say, “O Yahweh, who is like you, delivering the poor from one stronger than he, and the poor and needy from the one who robs him?”

11Malicious witnesses rise up; they question me about things I do not know.

12They repay me evil for good, leaving me bereft.

13But as for me, when they were sick, I wore sackcloth; I humbled myself by fasting, and my prayer returned to my own bosom.

14I went about as if for a friend or brother; I bowed down in gloom, like one mourning for a mother.

15But when I stumbled, they rejoiced and gathered together; attackers gathered against me without my knowledge. They tore at me and did not stop.

16Like godless mockers for a morsel, they gnash their teeth at me.

17Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my life from their ravages, my precious life from the young lions.

18I will give thanks to you in the great assembly; among a mighty people I will praise you.

19Do not let my deceitful enemies rejoice over me, nor let those who hate me without cause wink at me.

20For they do not speak peace, but against the quiet ones of the land they devise deceitful words.

21They opened their mouths wide against me; they said, “Aha, aha! Our eyes have seen!”

22You have seen, O Yahweh; do not be silent. O Lord, do not be far from me.

23Rouse yourself and awake for my judgment, my God and my Lord, for my cause.

24Vindicate me according to your righteousness, O Yahweh my God, and do not let them rejoice over me.

25Do not let them say to themselves, “Aha, just what we wanted!” Do not let them say, “We have swallowed him up.”

26Let those who rejoice at my harm be put to shame and humiliated together; let those who exalt themselves against me be clothed with shame and disgrace.

27Let those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and be glad; let them say continually, “May Yahweh be magnified, who delights in the well-being of his servant.”

28And my tongue will speak of your righteousness and praise you all day long.