35

Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me
Fight against those who fight against me
Take up shield and armor
Arise and come to my aid to save me

Brandish spear and javelin
Against those who pursue me
“I am your salvation” –
Please say to me

May those who seek my life
Be disgraced and put to shame
May those who plot my ruin
Be turned back in dismay

May they be like chaff before the wind
With the angel of the Lord driving them away
May their path be dark and slippery
With the angel of the Lord pursuing them night and day

Since they hid their net for me without cause
And without cause dug a pit for me
May ruin overtake them by surprise—
May the net they hid entangle them and not me

May they fall into the pit, to their ruin
Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord
And delight in His salvation
And praise the Lord my God

My whole being will exclaim
“Who is like You, Lord?
You rescue the poor from those too strong for them
The poor and needy from those who rob them, O Mighty God”

Ruthless witnesses come forward
They question me on things I know nothing about
They repay me evil for good
And leave me like one bereaved and with no proud

Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth
And humbled myself with fasting
When my prayers returned to me unanswered
I went about mourning

Yes, I went about mourning
As though for my friend or brother
I bowed my head in grief
As though weeping for my mother

But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee
Assailants gathered against me without my knowledge
They slandered me without ceasing
They didn’t let me know, didn’t give me such privilege

Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked
They gnashed their teeth at me
How long, Lord, will You look on?
From their ravages I beg to rescue me

I beg to rescue my precious life from these lions
I will give You thanks in the great assembly
Among the throngs I will praise You
And will tell them about everything openly

Do not let those gloat over me
Who are my enemies without cause and I don’t know why
Do not let those who hate me without reason
Maliciously wink the eye

They do not speak peaceably
But devise false accusations
Against those who live quietly in the land
Without major faults or complications

They sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha!
With our own eyes we have seen it”
Do not be far from me, Lord
Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent

Awake, and rise to my defense!
Contend for me, my God and Lord
Vindicate me in Your righteousness, Lord my God
Do not let them gloat over me with their false words

Do not let them think, “Aha, just what we wanted!”
Or say, “We have swallowed him up”
God, I speak to You!
God, please rise up!

May all who gloat over my distress
Be put to shame and confusion
May all who exalt themselves over me
Be clothed with shame and disgrace with no illusions

May those who delight in my vindication
Shout for joy and gladness
May they always say, “The Lord be exalted,
Who delights in the well-being of His servant always”

My tongue will proclaim Your righteousness
Your praises all day long
I praise to You, my Lord
I praise to You with my soul and with my tongue