Psalm, 35

Of David.

¹ O Jehovah, defend my case against my opposers; Fight against those who fight against me.

² Take up your buckler^*1 and large shield, And rise up to my defense.

³ Lift up your spear and battle-ax^*1 against my pursuers. Say to me:^*2 “I am your salvation.”

⁴ May those who are hunting for my life^*1 be put to shame and humiliated. May those who are plotting to destroy me retreat in disgrace.

⁵ May they become like chaff in the wind; May Jehovah’s angel drive them away.

⁶ May their path be dark and slippery As Jehovah’s angel pursues them.

⁷ For without cause they have hidden a net to trap me; Without cause they have dug a pit for me.^*1

⁸ May disaster come upon him by surprise; May the net that he hid catch him; May he fall into it and be destroyed.

⁹ But I^*1 will rejoice in Jehovah; I will be joyful in his acts of salvation.

¹⁰ All my bones will say: “O Jehovah, who is like you? You rescue the helpless from those who are stronger, The helpless and the poor from those who rob them.”

¹¹ Malicious witnesses come forward, Asking me things I know nothing about.

¹² They repay me with bad for good, Making me^*1 feel bereaved.

¹³ But when they were ill, I clothed myself with sackcloth; I afflicted myself^*1 by fasting, And when my prayer would return unanswered,^*2

¹⁴ I walked about mourning as for a friend or a brother of mine; I bowed down in sorrow, like one mourning for his mother.

¹⁵ But when I stumbled, they rejoiced and gathered together; They gathered together to strike me down in ambush; They tore me to pieces and did not keep silent.

¹⁶ The ungodly scornfully mock me,^*1 They grind their teeth against me.

¹⁷ O Jehovah, how long will you just look on? Rescue me^*1 from their attacks, My precious life^*2 from the young lions.^*3

¹⁸ Then I will give thanks to you in the great congregation; I will praise you among the throngs of people.

¹⁹ Do not let those who for no reason are my enemies gloat over me; Do not let those hating me without cause wink their eyes maliciously.

²⁰ For they do not speak words of peace, But they deceptively scheme against the peaceful ones of the land.

²¹ They open their mouth wide to accuse me, Saying: “Aha! Aha! Our eyes have seen it.”

²² You have seen this, O Jehovah. Do not remain silent. O Jehovah, do not stay far from me.

²³ Awake and rise to my defense, My God, Jehovah, defend me in my legal case.

²⁴ Judge me according to your righteousness, O Jehovah my God; Do not let them gloat over me.

²⁵ May they never say to themselves: “Aha! We got what we wanted.”^*1 May they never say: “We have swallowed him up.”

²⁶ Let all of them be put to shame and disgraced, Those who gloat over my calamity. Let those who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and humiliation.

²⁷ But let those who take pleasure in my righteousness shout joyfully; May they constantly say: “May Jehovah be magnified, who takes pleasure in the peace of his servant.”

²⁸ Then my tongue will recount^*1 your righteousness And praise you all day long.