35:1 Of David. Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.

35:2 Take up shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid.

35:3 Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, "I am your salvation."

35:4 May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay.

35:5 May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away;

35:6 may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.

35:7 Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me,

35:8 may ruin overtake them by surprise--may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.

35:9 Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation.

35:10 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."

35:11 Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about.

35:12 They repay me evil for good and leave my soul forlorn.

35:13 Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered,

35:14 I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother.

35:15 But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; attackers gathered against me when I was unaware. They slandered me without ceasing.

35:16 Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked; they gnashed their teeth at me.

35:17 O Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my life from their ravages, my precious life from these lions.

35:18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you.

35:19 Let not those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; let not those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye.

35:20 They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land.

35:21 They gape at me and say, "Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it."

35:22 O LORD, you have seen this; be not silent. Do not be far from me, O Lord.

35:23 Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord.

35:24 Vindicate me in your righteousness, O LORD my God; do not let them gloat over me.

35:25 Do not let them think, "Aha, just what we wanted!" or say, "We have swallowed him up."

35:26 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.

35:27 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."

35:28 My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long.