Psalm 35

A Psalm of David.

1Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.

2Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.

3Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.

4Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.

5Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them.

6Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them.footnote a

7For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul.

8Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.footnote b

9And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.

10All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?

11False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.footnote cfootnote d

12They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.footnote e

13But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.footnote f

14I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.footnote gfootnote h

15But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:footnote i

16With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.

17Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.footnote j

18I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.footnote k

19Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.footnote l

20For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.

21Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.

22This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.

23Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.

24Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.

25Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.footnote m

26Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.

27Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.footnote n

28And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.

Contend with My Opponents, O LORD

Of David.

1Contend with my opponents, O LORD;fight against those who fight against me. 2Take up Your shield and buckler;arise and come to my aid. 3Draw the spear and javelinfootnote aagainst my pursuers;say to my soul: “I am your salvation.”

4May those who seek my lifebe disgraced and put to shame;may those who plan to harm mebe driven back and confounded. 5May they be like chaff in the wind,as the angel of the LORD drives them away. 6May their path be dark and slick,as the angel of the LORD pursues. 7For without cause they laid their net for me;without reason they dug a pit for my soul. 8May ruin befall them by surprise;may the net they hid ensnare them;may they fall into the hazard they created.

9Then my soul will rejoice in the LORDand exult in His salvation. 10All my bones will exclaim,“Who is like You, O LORD,who delivers the afflicted from the aggressor,the poor and needy from the robber?”

11Hostile witnesses come forward;they make charges I know nothing about. 12They repay me evil for good,to the bereavement of my soul. 13Yet when they were ill,I put on sackcloth;I humbled myself with fasting,but my prayers returned unanswered.footnote b 14I paced aboutas for my friend or brother;I was bowed down with grief,like one mourning for his mother. 15But when I stumbled, they assembled in glee;they gathered together against me.Assailants I did not knowslandered me without ceasing. 16Like godless jesters at a feast,footnote cthey gnashed their teeth at me.

17How long, O Lord, will You look on?Rescue my soul from their ravages,my precious life from these lions. 18Then I will give You thanks in the great assembly;I will praise You among many people. 19Let not my enemies gloat over me without cause,nor those who hate me without reason wink in malice.footnote d 20For they do not speak peace,but they devise deceitful schemesagainst those who live quietly in the land. 21They gape at me and say,“Aha, aha! Our eyes have seen!”

22O LORD, You have seen it; be not silent.O Lord, be not far from me. 23Awake and rise to my defense,to my cause, my God and my Lord! 24Vindicate me by Your righteousness, O LORD my God,and do not let them gloat over me. 25Let them not say in their hearts,“Aha, just what we wanted!”Let them not say,“We have swallowed him up!”

26May those who gloat in my distressbe ashamed and confounded;may those who exalt themselves over mebe clothed in shame and reproach. 27May those who favor my vindicationshout for joy and gladness;may they always say, “Exalted be the LORDwho delights in His servant’s well-being.”

28Then my tongue will proclaim Your righteousnessand Your praises all day long.