Psalms

¹ Of David. Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.

² arise and come to my aid.

³ against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”

⁴ be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay.

⁵ with the angel of the Lord driving them away;

⁶ with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.

⁷ and without cause dug a pit for me,

⁸ may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.

⁹ and delight in his salvation.

¹⁰ “Who is like you, O Lord? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.”

¹¹ they question me on things I know nothing about.

¹² and leave my soul forlorn.

¹³ and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered,

¹⁴ as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother.

¹⁵ attackers gathered against me when I was unaware. They slandered me without ceasing.

¹⁶ they gnashed their teeth at me.

¹⁷ Rescue my life from their ravages, my precious life from these lions.

¹⁸ among throngs of people I will praise you.

¹⁹ who are my enemies without cause; let not those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye.

²⁰ but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land.

²¹ With our own eyes we have seen it.”

²² Do not be far from me, O Lord.

²³ Contend for me, my God and Lord.

²⁴ do not let them gloat over me.

²⁵ or say, “We have swallowed him up.”

²⁶ be put to shame and confusion; may all who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and disgrace.

²⁷ shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, “The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant.”

²⁸ and of your praises all day long.