Contend with Those who Contend with Me
By David.
1 Plead my case, O LORD, with those who strive against me.
Fight against those who fight against me.
2 Take hold of shield and buckler
and rise up to help me.
3 Brandish the spear and block the way of those who pursue me.
Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”
4 Let those who seek after me be confounded and put to shame.
Let those who plot my ruin be turned back and brought to confusion.
5 Let them be as chaff before the wind,
and let the angel of the LORD chase them.
6 Let their way be dark and slippery,
and let the angel of the LORD pursue them.
7 For without cause they have hidden their net in a pit for me.
Without cause they have dug a pit for me.
8 Let destruction come on him unawares.
Let his net that he has hidden catch him.
Let him fall into that very destruction.
9 I shall be joyful in the LORD.
I shall rejoice in his salvation.
10 All my bones shall say, “O LORD, who is like you,
who delivers the poor from him who is too strong for him;
yes, the poor and the needy from him who robs him?”
11 False witnesses rise up.
They ask me about things that I do not know.
12 They reward me evil for good,
to the bereavement of my soul.
13 But as for me, when they were sick,
my clothing was sackcloth.
I afflicted my soul with fasting.
My prayer returned into my own bosom.
14 I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or my brother.
I was bowed down with grief, as one who mourns his mother.
15 But in my adversity, they rejoiced, and gathered together.
The attackers gathered themselves together against me, and I did not know it.
They tore at me and did not cease.
16 Like the hypocritical mockers in feasts,
they gnashed their teeth at me.
17 Lord, how long will you look on?
Rescue me from their destruction,
my precious life from the lions.
18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly.
I will praise you among many people.
19 Do not let those who are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me,
nor let those who hate me without a cause wink with malice.
20 For they do not speak peace,
but they conceive deceit against those in the land who live quietly.
21 Yes, they opened their mouth wide against me.
They said, “Aha! Aha! Our eye has seen it!”
22 You have seen it, O Lord. Do not keep silent.
O Lord, do not be far from me.
23 Stir yourself up and awake to my defense!
And to my cause, my God and my Lord.
24 Vindicate me, O Lord my God, according to your righteousness.
Do not let them gloat over me.
25 Do not let them say in their heart, “Aha! That’s what we wanted!”
Do not let them say, “We have devoured him!”
26 Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together, those who rejoice at my hurt.
Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves against me.
27 Let those who favor my righteous cause shout for joy and be glad.
Yes, let them say continually, “May the Lord be magnified,
who has pleasure in the prosperity of his servant!”
28 My tongue shall speak of your righteousness and praise you all day long.