1 - ?Of David.?
Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.
2 - Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid.
3 - Brandish spear and javelin
4 - May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay.
5 - May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away;
6 - may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.
7 - Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me,
8 - may ruin overtake them by surprise - may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.
9 - Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation.
10 - My whole being will exclaim, "Who is like you, Lord? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them."
11 - Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about.
12 - They repay me evil for good and leave me like one bereaved.
13 - Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered,
14 - I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother.
15 - But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; assailants gathered against me without my knowledge. They slandered me without ceasing.
16 - Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked;
17 - How long, Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their ravages, my precious life from these lions.
18 - I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you.
19 - Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; do not let those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye.
20 - They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land.
21 - They sneer at me and say, "Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it."
22 - Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent. Do not be far from me, Lord.
23 - Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord.
24 - Vindicate me in your righteousness, Lord my God; do not let them gloat over me.
25 - Do not let them think, "Aha, just what we wanted!" or say, "We have swallowed him up."
26 - May all who gloat over my distress be put to shame and confusion; may all who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and disgrace.
27 - May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, "The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant."
28 - My tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long.