Chapter 35

[A Psalm] of David.
Plead³ [my cause], O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight³ against them that fight⁶ against me.

Take hold⁵⁴ of shield and buckler, and stand up³ for mine help.

Draw out⁵⁴ also the spear, and stop³ [the way] against² them that persecute⁶ me: say³ unto my soul, I [am] thy salvation.

Let them be confounded⁴ and put to shame¹¹ that seek¹⁸ after my soul: let them be turned¹¹ back and brought to confusion⁴ that devise⁶ my hurt.

Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase⁶ [them].

Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute⁶ them.

For without cause have they hid¹ for me their net [in] a pit, [which] without cause they have digged¹ for my soul.

Let destruction come⁴ upon him at unawares;^{4 3808} and let his net that he hath hid¹ catch⁴ himself: into that very destruction let him fall.⁴

And my soul shall be joyful⁴ in the LORD: it shall rejoice⁴ in his salvation.

All my bones shall say,⁴ LORD, who [is] like unto thee, which deliverest⁵⁶ the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth⁶ him?

False witnesses did rise up;⁴ they laid to my charge⁴ [things] that I knew¹ not.

They rewarded¹⁷ me evil for good [to] the spoiling of my soul.

But as for me, when they were sick,² my clothing [was] sackcloth: I humbled¹⁴ my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned⁴ into mine own bosom.

I behaved⁹⁸ myself as though [he had been] my friend [or] brother: I bowed down¹ heavily,⁶ as one that mourneth [for his] mother.

But in mine adversity they rejoiced,¹ and gathered⁸ themselves together: [yea], the abjects gathered⁸ themselves together against me, and I knew¹ [it] not; they did tear¹ [me], and ceased¹ not:

With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed² upon me with their teeth.

Lord, how long wilt thou look on?⁴ rescue⁵⁴ my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.

I will give thee thanks⁵⁵ in the great congregation: I will praise¹⁷ thee among much people.

Let not them that are mine enemies⁶ wrongfully rejoice⁴ over me: [neither] let them wink⁴ with the eye that hate⁶ me without a cause.

For they speak¹⁷ not peace: but they devise⁴ deceitful matters against [them that are] quiet in the land.

Yea, they opened their mouth wide⁵⁵ against me, [and] said,¹ Aha, aha, our eye hath seen¹ [it].

[This] thou hast seen,¹ O LORD: keep not silence:⁴ O Lord, be not far⁴ from me.

Stir up⁵⁴ thyself, and awake⁵⁴ to my judgment, [even] unto my cause, my God and my Lord.

Judge³ me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice⁴ over me.

Let them not say⁴ in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say,⁴ We have swallowed him up.¹⁴

Let them be ashamed⁴ and brought to confusion⁴ together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed⁴ with shame and dishonour that magnify⁵⁶ [themselves] against me.

Let them shout for joy,⁴ and be glad,⁴ that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say⁴ continually, Let the LORD be magnified,⁴ which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

And my tongue shall speak⁴ of thy righteousness [and] of thy praise all the day long.