Psalms 35

Prayer for rescue from enemies.

Take hold of shield and buckler,

Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that pursue me:

Let them be put to shame and brought to dishonor that seek after my soul:

Let them be as chaff before the wind,

Let their way be dark and slippery,

For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit;

Let destruction come upon him unawares;

And my soul shall be joyful in Jehovah:

All my bones shall say, Jehovah, who is like unto thee,

Unrighteous witnesses rise up;

They reward me evil for good,

But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth:

I behaved myself as though it had been my friend or my brother:

But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together:

Like the profane mockers in feasts,

Lord, how long wilt thou look on?

I will give thee thanks in the great assembly:

Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me;

For they speak not peace;

Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me;

Thou hast seen it, O Jehovah; keep not silence:

Stir up thyself, and awake to the justice due unto me,

Judge me, O Jehovah my God, according to thy righteousness;

Let them not say in their heart, Aha, so would we have it:

Let them be put to shame and confounded together that rejoice at my hurt:

Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favor my righteous cause:

And my tongue shall talk of thy righteousness