1Of David. Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me, do battle with those who do battle with me.
2Grasp shield and buckler, and rise up as my help.
3Draw spear and battle-axe, confront those who pursue me. Assure me that you will help me.
4Dishonour and shame be on those who are seeking my life! Defeat and confusion on those who are planning my hurt!
5As chaff before wind may they be, with the Lord's angel pursuing them.
6Slippery and dark be their way, with his angel thrusting them on.
7For they wantonly hid their net for me, and dug a pit to destroy me.
8Upon them may ruin come unawares; may the net which they hid catch themselves, and into the pit may they fall.
9Then I will exult in the Lord, and be joyful because of his help;
10and all my being will say, “Who, O Lord, is like you, who save the helpless from those too strong for them, the poor and the helpless from those who despoil them?”
11Violent witnesses rise, and ask of me things that I know not.
12Evil for good they requite me, leaving me inwardly comfortless.
13But when they were sick, I put on sackcloth, and chastened myself with fasting. I prayed with head bowed low,
14as if for my friend or my brother. I went about bowed and in mourning, as one who laments his mother.
15When I stumbled, they gleefully gathered, strangers gathered around me, and tore at me without ceasing,
16impiously mocking and mocking, bearing their teeth at me.
17How long, Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their roaring, my precious life from the lions.
18I will then give you thanks in the great congregation, and praise you before many people.
19Suffer not those to rejoice over me who are falsely my foes, suffer not those who without cause abhor me to wink with the eye.
20For it is not peace that they speak of those who are quiet in the land; but treacherous charges they plot.