Psalm 35

New Coverdale Version

Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me, * and fight against those who fight against me.

Take up the shield and buckler, * and stand up to help me.

Bring forth the spear and bar the way against those who pursue me; * say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”

Let them be confounded and put to shame who seek after my life; * let them be turned back and brought to confusion who imagine evil against me.

Let them be as the chaff before the wind, * and let the angel of the Lord scatter them.

Let their way be dark and slippery, * and let the angel of the Lord pursue them.

For they have secretly laid their net to destroy me without a cause; * indeed, without a cause have they made a pit to take away my life.

Let sudden destruction come upon them unawares, and the net, which they have laid secretly, catch themselves, * that they may fall into their own trouble.

Then shall my soul be joyful in the Lord; * I shall rejoice in his salvation.

All my bones shall say, “Lord, who is like you? You deliver the poor from those who are too strong for them; * indeed, the poor and those who are in misery from those who rob them.”

Malicious witnesses rise up; * they charge me with matters I know nothing about.

They repay me evil for good, * to the great sorrow of my soul.

Nevertheless, when they were sick, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting; * I prayed with my whole heart, as if it had been my friend or my brother.

I behaved myself as one who mourns for his mother; * I was bowed down with heaviness of heart.

But in my adversity, they rejoiced and gathered themselves together; * indeed, those who struck me came together against me, and I had no rest; they tore at me, and would not cease.

When I stumbled they mocked me exceedingly, * and gnashed at me with their teeth.

Lord, how long will you look on this? * O deliver me from the calamities they bring upon me, and my life from the lions.

So will I give you thanks in the great congregation; * I will praise you among many people.

O let not those who are my enemies triumph over me deceitfully; * neither let them wink with their eyes, those who hate me without a cause.

For their talking is not for peace, * but they imagine deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.

They open their mouths at me, and say, * “Aha! Aha! We saw it with our own eyes!”

This you have seen, O Lord. * Hold not your tongue then; be not far from me, O Lord.

Awake, and stand up to judge my case; * avenge my cause, my God and my Lord.

Judge me, O Lord my God, according to your righteousness, * and let them not triumph over me.

Let them not say in their hearts, “Aha! We have what we want!” * Neither let them say, “We have devoured him.”

Let them be put to confusion and shame who rejoice at my trouble; * let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who boast against me.

Let them be glad and rejoice who favor my righteous cause; * indeed, let them say always, “Great is the Lord, who takes pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.”

And as for my tongue, it shall be talking of your righteousness * and of your praise all the day long.