35:1 [Of David.] Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.
35:2 Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid.
35:3 Brandish spear and javelin* against those who pursue me. Say to me, “I am your salvation.” / *Or and block the way
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, 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 me like one bereaved.
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; assailants gathered against me without my knowledge. They slandered me without ceasing.
35:16 Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked;* they gnashed their teeth at me. / *Septuagint; Hebrew may mean Like an ungodly circle of mockers,
35:17 How long, Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their ravages, my precious life from these lions.
35:18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you.
35:19 Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; do not let 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 sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it.”
35:22 Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent. Do not be far from me, Lord.
35:23 Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord.
35:24 Vindicate me in your righteousness, 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 proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long.