Psalm 35

1Contend, Yahweh, with my contenders. Fight my fighters.

2Grasp shield and buckler, and arise for my help.

3Draw the spear and bar my pursuers; say to my soul, "I am your salvation."

4Let those seeking my soul be ashamed and confounded; let those devising evil against me turn back and be disgraced.

5Let them be like chaff before the wind, with Yahweh's angel driving them away.

6Let their way be darkness and slippery places, Yahweh's angel pursuing them.

7For without cause they hid their net in a pit for me; without cause they dug [a pit] for my soul.

8Let destruction come upon him without his knowledge, and let his net that he hid catch him; let him fall into that destruction.

9My soul rejoices in Yahweh and exults in his salvation.

10All my bones will say, "Yahweh, who resembles you—who rescues the poor from one stronger than he, the poor and needy from his robber?"

11Ruthless witnesses arise; they question me about things I did not know.

12They repay me with evil for good, spoiling my soul.

13But as for me, in their illnesses I clothed myself with sackcloth; with fasting I humbled my soul, and my prayer returned to my bosom.

14I behaved toward him as toward my close friend or brother, and bowed down heavily like one sorrowing over his mother.

15But in my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered; wretched men gathered against me, and I did not know it—they tore at me and did not stop.

16Like impious mockers at feasts, they gnashed their teeth at me.

17Lord, how long will you watch? Deliver my soul from their ravages, my only one from the lions.

18I will thank you in the great assembly; I will praise you among mighty people.

19Do not let my enemies rejoice over me wrongfully; neither let those who hate me without cause wink their eyes.

20For they speak no peace, but against the quiet in the land they devise deceitful words.

21They gaped against me with their mouths and said, "Aha! Aha! Our eyes have seen it."

22You have seen, Yahweh; do not be silent, my Lord—do not be far from me.

23Rouse yourself and awake for my justice, my God and my Lord, for my cause.

24Vindicate me according to your righteousness, Yahweh my God, and do not let them rejoice over me.

25Do not let them say in their hearts, "Aha! Our desire!" Do not let them say, "We have devoured him!"

26Let those who delight in my harm be ashamed and confounded together. Let shame and disgrace clothe those who exalt themselves against me.

27Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and rejoice, and say continually, "Yahweh be exalted, who takes pleasure in his servant's welfare."

28And my tongue will utter your righteousness and your praise all day.