| 1 | Of David. Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. | |
| 2 | Take up shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid. | |
| 3 | Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, "I am your salvation." | |
| 4 | May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay. | |
| 5 | May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away; | |
| 6 | may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them. | |
| 7 | Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me, | |
| 8 | may ruin overtake them by surprise--may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin. | |
| 9 | Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation. | |
| 10 | My whole being will exclaim, "Who is like you, O LORD? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them." | |
| 11 | Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about. | |
| 12 | They repay me evil for good and leave my soul forlorn. | |
| 13 | Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered, | |
| 14 | I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother. | |
| 15 | But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; attackers gathered against me when I was unaware. They slandered me without ceasing. | |
| 16 | Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked; they gnashed their teeth at me. | |
| 17 | O Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my life from their ravages, my precious life from these lions. | |
| 18 | I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you. | |
| 19 | Let not those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; let not those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye. | |
| 20 | They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land. | |
| 21 | They gape at me and say, "Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it." | |
| 22 | O LORD, you have seen this; be not silent. Do not be far from me, O Lord. | |
| 23 | Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord. | |
| 24 | Vindicate me in your righteousness, O LORD my God; do not let them gloat over me. | |
| 25 | Do not let them think, "Aha, just what we wanted!" or say, "We have swallowed him up." | |
| 26 | 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. | |
| 27 | 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." | |
| 28 | My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long. | |