Psalm 35

Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me;
fight those who fight against me. Take hold of shield and great shield, and rise to my aid. Draw out the spear and block the way against my pursuers;
say to my soul, “I am your salvation.” Let those who seek my life be put to shame and disgrace;
let those who plot my harm turn back in humiliation. Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away. Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them. For without cause they hid their net for me in a pit;
without cause they dug to take my life. Let ruin come upon him unawares;
let the net he hid catch him, and let him fall into it to his ruin. Then my soul will exult in the LORD and rejoice in his salvation. All my bones will say, “LORD, who is like you, delivering the afflicted from one stronger than he, the poor and needy from the one who robs him?” Violent witnesses rise up;
they question me about things I do not know. They repay me evil for good, leaving my soul bereft. But when they were sick, I wore sackcloth;
I humbled my soul with fasting, and my prayer returned to my breast. I went about as for a friend or brother;
I bowed down in mourning, as one grieving for his mother. But when I stumbled, they rejoiced and gathered;
stricken men I did not know gathered against me.
They tore at me without ceasing. With godless mockers who jeer for a cake, they gnash their teeth at me. Lord, how long will you look on?
Rescue my soul from their ravages, my only life from young lions. I will thank you in the great assembly;
among a mighty people I will praise you. Do not let those wrongfully my enemies rejoice over me, or those who hate me without cause wink their eye. For they do not speak peace;
they devise deceitful words against those who live quietly in the land. They open their mouths wide against me and say, “Aha, aha!
Our eyes have seen it!” You have seen, LORD;
do not be silent.
Lord, do not be far from me. Rouse yourself and awake for my judgment, my God and my Lord, for my cause. Judge me according to your righteousness, LORD my God;
do not let them rejoice over me. Do not let them say in their hearts, “Aha, just what we wanted!”
Do not let them say, “We have swallowed him up!” Let those who rejoice at my harm be put to shame and humiliation together;
let those who exalt themselves over me be clothed in shame and disgrace. Let those who desire my vindication shout for joy and rejoice;
let them always say, “May the LORD, who delights in his servant’s well-being, be magnified!” Then my tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praise all day.

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