Psalms 35:1-17

¹A Psalm of David. Strive, O LORD, with them that strive with me; fight against them that fight against me.

²Take hold of shield and buckler, and rise up to my help.

³Draw out also the spear, and the battle-axe, against them that pursue me; say unto my soul: 'I am Thy salvation.'

⁴Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion that seek after my soul; let them be turned back and be abashed that devise my hurt.

⁵Let them be as chaff before the wind, the angel of the LORD thrusting them.

⁶Let their way be dark and slippery, the angel of the LORD pursuing them.

⁷For without cause have they hid for me the pit, even their net, without cause have they digged for my soul.

⁸Let destruction come upon him unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself; with destruction let him fall therein.

⁹And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD; it shall rejoice in His salvation.

¹⁰All my bones shall say: 'LORD, who is like unto Thee, who deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?'

¹¹Unrighteous witnesses rise up; they ask me of things that I know not.

¹²They repay me evil for good; bereavement is come to my soul.

¹³But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth, I afflicted my soul with fasting; and my prayer, may it return into mine own bosom.

¹⁴I went about as though it had been my friend or my brother; I bowed down mournful, as one that mourneth for his mother.

¹⁵But when I halt they rejoice, and gather themselves together; the abjects gather themselves together against me, and those whom I know not; they tear me, and cease not;

¹⁶With the profanest mockeries of backbiting they gnash at me with their teeth.

¹⁷Lord, how long wilt Thou look on? Rescue my soul from their destructions, mine only one from the lions.