Of David.

1 Oppose my opponents, Lord;

fight those who fight me.  * 35:1 Ex 14:25; Is 49:25

2 Take your shields — large and small —

and come to my aid.  * 35:2 Ps 5:12; 91:4

3 Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers,

and assure me, "I am your deliverance."  * 35:3 Ps 13:5; 40:17

4 Let those who intend to take my life

be disgraced and humiliated;

let those who plan to harm me

be turned back and ashamed.  * 35:4 Ps 40:14; 70:2; 129:5

5 Let them be like chaff in the wind,

with the angel of the  Lord driving them away.  * 35:5 Jb 21:18; Ps 83:13; Is 29:5

6 Let their way be dark and slippery,

with the angel of the  Lord pursuing them.  * 35:6 Ps 73:18; Jr 23:12

7 They hid their net for me without cause;

they dug a pit for me without cause.  * 35:7 Ps 140:5

8 Let ruin come on him unexpectedly,

and let the net that he hid ensnare him;

let him fall into it — to his ruin.  * 35:8 Jb 18:8; Ps 7:15

9 Then I will rejoice in the  Lord;

I will delight in his deliverance.  * 35:9 Ps 9:14; 13:5

10 All my bones will say,

"Lord, who is like you,  * 35:10 Ex 15:11; Ps 86:8; Mc 7:18

rescuing the poor from one too strong for him,

the poor or the needy from one who robs him? "  * 35:10 Ps 72:12; 82:4

11 Malicious witnesses come forward;

they question me about things I do not know.  * 35:11 Ps 27:12; Pr 19:5,9

12 They repay me evil for good,

making me desolate.  * 35:12 Ps 38:20; 109:5; Jr 18:20

13 Yet when they were sick,

my clothing was sackcloth;

I humbled myself with fasting,

and my prayer was genuine.  * 35:13 Lit prayer returned to my chest,* 35:13 Ps 69:10–11

14 I went about mourning as if for my friend or brother;

I was bowed down with grief,

like one mourning for a mother.  * 35:14 Ps 38:6

15 But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee;

they gathered against me.

Assailants I did not know

tore at me and did not stop.  * 35:15 Jb 30:1,8,12; Ob 12

16 With godless mockery  * 35:16 Hb obscure

they gnashed their teeth at me.  * 35:16 Jb 16:9; Ps 37:12; Lm 2:16

17 Lord, how long will you look on?  * 35:17 Ps 13:1; Hab 1:13

Rescue me from their ravages;

rescue my precious life from the young lions.  * 35:17 Ps 22:20–21

18 I will praise you in the great assembly;

I will exalt you among many people.  * 35:18 Ps 22:22,25; 40:9–10; Heb 2:12

19 Do not let my deceitful enemies rejoice over me;

do not let those who hate me without cause  * 35:19 Ps 38:19; Jn 15:25

wink at me maliciously.  * 35:19 Ps 13:4; 30:1; 38:16

20 For they do not speak in friendly ways,

but contrive fraudulent schemes  * 35:20 Lit but devise fraudulent words

against those who live peacefully in the land.  * 35:20 Ps 55:21; Jr 9:8; Mc 6:12

21 They open their mouths wide against me and say,

"Aha, aha! We saw it! "  * 35:21 Lit Our eyes saw!,* 35:21 Jb 16:10; Ps 22:13; 40:15; 70:3

22 You saw it, Lord; do not be silent.

Lord, do not be far from me.  * 35:22 Ps 10:1; 22:11; 28:1

23 Wake up and rise to my defense,

to my cause, my God and my Lord!  * 35:23 Ps 7:6; 44:23; 59:4

24 Vindicate me, Lord  my God,

in keeping with your righteousness,

and do not let them rejoice over me.  * 35:24 Ps 26:1; 43:1

25 Do not let them say in their hearts,

"Aha! Just what we wanted."

Do not let them say,

"We have swallowed him up! "  * 35:25 Ps 124:3; Lm 2:16

26 Let those who rejoice at my misfortune

be disgraced and humiliated;

let those who exalt themselves over me

be clothed with shame and reproach.  * 35:26 Jb 8:22; Ps 40:14; 109:29

27 Let those who want my vindication

shout for joy and be glad;

let them continually say,

"The Lord be exalted.

He takes pleasure in his servant’s well-being."  * 35:27 Ps 40:16; 70:4

28 And my tongue will proclaim your righteousness,

your praise all day long.  * 35:28 Ps 71:8,15,24