Psalms 35
1Yahweh, work against those who work against me; 1 fight against those who fight against me. 1
2Grab your small shield and large shield; 1 rise up and help me. 1
3Use your spear and battle ax against those who chase me; 1 say to my soul, “I am your salvation.” 1
4May those who seek my life be shamed and dishonored. 1 May those who plan to harm me be turned back and confounded. 1
5May they be as chaff before the wind, 1 as the angel of Yahweh drives them away. 1
6May their way be dark and slippery, 1 as the angel of Yahweh chases them. 1
7Without cause they set their net for me; 1 without cause they dug a pit for my life. 1
8Let destruction overtake them by surprise. 1 Let the net that they have set catch them. 1 Let them fall into it, to their destruction. 1
9But I will be joyful in Yahweh 1 and rejoice in his salvation. 1
10All my bones will say, “Yahweh, who is like you, 1 who rescues the oppressed from those who are too strong for them 1 and the poor and needy from those who try to rob them?” 1
11Unrighteous witnesses rise up; 1 they accuse me falsely. 1
12They repay me evil for good. 1 I am sorrowful. 1
13But, when they were sick, I wore sackcloth; 1 I fasted for them 1 with my head bowed on my chest. 1
14I went about in grief as for my brother; 1 I bent down in mourning as for my mother. 1
15But when I stumbled, they rejoiced and gathered together; 1 they gathered together against me, and I was surprised by them. 1 They tore at me without stopping. 1
16With no respect at all they mocked me; 1 they grind their teeth at me in rage. 1
17Lord, how long will you look on? 1 Rescue my soul from their destructive attacks, 1 my life from the lions. 1
18Then I will thank you in the great assembly; 1 I will praise you among many people. 1
19Do not let my deceitful enemies rejoice over me; 1 do not let them carry out their wicked schemes. 1
20For they do not speak peace, 1 but they devise deceitful words against those in our land who live in peace. 1
21They open their mouths wide against me; 1 they said, “Aha, Aha, our eyes have seen it.” 1
22You have seen it, Yahweh, do not be silent; 1 Lord, do not be far from me. 1
23Arouse yourself and awake to my defense; 1 My God and my Lord, defend my cause. 1
24Defend me, Yahweh my God, because of your righteousness; 1 do not let them rejoice over me. 1
25Do not let them say in their heart, “Aha, we have what we wanted.” 1 Do not let them say, “We have devoured him.” 1
26May they be put to shame and may they be confounded who rejoice at my distress. 1 May those who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and dishonor. 1
27Let those who desire my vindication shout for joy and be glad; 1 may they say continually, “Yahweh be praised, 1 he who delights in the welfare of his servant.” 1
28Then I will tell of your justice 1 and praise you all day long.