Psalms 35:1-16

Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; Fight against those who fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler (small shield), And stand up for my help. Draw also the spear and javelin to meet those who pursue me. Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.” Let those be ashamed and dishonored who seek my life; Let those be turned back [in defeat] and humiliated who plot evil against me. Let them be [blown away] like chaff before the wind [worthless, without substance], With the angel of the LORD driving them on. Let their way be dark and slippery, With the angel of the LORD pursuing and harassing them. For without cause they hid their net for me; Without cause they dug a pit [of destruction] for my life. Let destruction come upon my enemy by surprise; Let the net he hid for me catch him; Into that very destruction let him fall. ¶Then my soul shall rejoice in the LORD; It shall rejoice in His salvation. All my bones will say, “LORD, who is like You, Who rescues the afflicted from him who is too strong for him [to resist alone], And the afflicted and the needy from him who robs him?” Malicious witnesses rise up; They ask me of things that I do not know. They repay me evil for good, To the sorrow of my soul. But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth (mourning garment); I humbled my soul with fasting, And I prayed with my head bowed on my chest. I behaved as if grieving for my friend or my brother; I bowed down in mourning, as one who sorrows for his mother. But in my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered together [against me]; The slanderers whom I did not know gathered against me; They slandered and reviled me without ceasing. Like godless jesters at a feast, They gnashed at me with their teeth [in malice].