Of David.
1Contend, O Yahweh, with those who contend with me. Fight against those who fight against me.
2Take hold of shield and buckler and rise up as my help.
3And draw the spear and lance to meet those who pursue me. Tell my soul, “I am your salvation.”
4Let those who seek after my soul be ashamed and humiliated. Let those who devise evil against me be turned back and ashamed.
5Let them become like chaff before the wind, when the angel of Yahweh drives them away.
6Let their road be dark and slippery, with the angel of Yahweh pursuing them.
7For without cause they have hidden their net in a pit for me; without cause they have dug a pit for my soul.
8Let destruction unexpectedly come on him. Yes, let his own net that he has hidden capture him. Let him fall into that very destruction.
9Then my soul will be joyful in Yahweh. It will rejoice in his salvation.
10All my bones will say, “Yahweh, who is like you, who delivers the afflicted person from the one who is too strong for him; yes, the afflicted person and the needy from the one who robs him?”
11Violent witnesses rise up. They interrogate me about things of which I am unaware.
12They repay me evil instead of good to the bereavement of my soul.
13But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth. I humbled my soul with fasting, But my prayer returned into my own bosom.
14I walked to and fro as though he had been a friend or a brother to me. I bowed down, dressed in dark clothing like the mourning for a mother.
15But at my stumbling they rejoiced and assembled together. Oppressors I did not know gathered themselves together against me They slandered me and did not cease.
16With godless and relentless mocking, they gnashed their teeth at me.
17O Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my soul from their ravages, my only life from young lions.
18I will give you thanks in the great assembly. I will praise you among many people.
19Do not let those who are my deceitful enemies rejoice over me; neither let those who hate me without a cause wink their eyes.
20For they do not speak peace, but they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.
21Yes, they opened their mouth wide against me. They said, “Aha! Aha! Our eyes have seen it!”
22You have seen it, O Yahweh. Do not keep silent! O Lord, do not be far away from me.
23Rouse yourself! Yes, rise up to my defense, O my God! Yes, O Lord, rouse yourself on behalf of my dispute.
24Judge me, O Yahweh my God, according to your righteousness. And do not let them rejoice over me.
25Do not let them say in their heart, “Aha! Our desire!” Do not let them say, “We have swallowed him up!”
26Let them be ashamed and humiliated together; those who rejoiced at my misfortune. Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves against me.
27Let them shout for joy and be glad those who delight in my righteousness. Yes, let them say continually, “Let Yahweh be magnified, who delights in the well-being of his servant!”
28And my tongue will proclaim your righteousness, singing a song of praise all day long.
REV Bible
