Contend with My Opponents, O LORD 1 2Lay hand vppon a shielde & buckler: and stande vp to helpe me.
3Bryng foorth the speare, and stop 4Let them be confounded and put to shame that seeke after my soule: let them be turned backe and brought to cofusion, that imagine mischiefe for me.
5Let them be as dust before the winde: and let the angell of God scatter 6Let their way be darke and slipperie: & let the angell of God persecute them.
7For without a cause they haue priuily layde for me a pit
8Let a sodayne destruction come vpon hym vnawares: and his net that he hath layde priuily catch hym selfe, let him fall into it with
9 10All my bones shall say, God who is lyke vnto thee? whiche deliuerest the poore from hym that is to strong for him: yea the poore and him that is in miserie, from him that spoyleth him. 11False witnesse did rise vp: they layde thinges to my charge that I know not. 12They rewarded me euill for good: to the great discomfort of my soule. 13Neuerthelesse, when they were sicke I did put on sackcloth: I afflicted my soule with fasting, and my prayer returned into myne owne bosome. 14I kept them company whersoeuer they went, as though they had ben my frende or brother: I went heauyly, as one that mourned for his mother. 15But in mine aduersitie they reioysed and gathered them together: yea, the very abiectes came together against me, yer I wyst they rented me a peeces and ceassed not. 16With hypocrites, scoffers, and parasites: they gnashed vpon me with their teeth.
17Lorde howe long wylt thou looke 18So I wyll confesse it vnto thee in a great congregation: I will prayse thee among muche people. 19O let not my deceiptfull enemies triumph ouer me: let them not winke with an eye, that hate me without a cause.
20For they speake not peace: but they imagine deceiptfull wordes agaynst them that 21They gaped vpon me with their mouthes: and said this is well, this is wel, our eye hath seene.
22Thou hast seene 23Stirre thou and awake O my God and my Lorde: to iudge my cause and controuersie. 24Iudge me according to thy righteousnesse O God my Lorde: and let them not triumph ouer me. 25Let them not say in their heart, it is as we woulde haue it: neither let them say, we haue deuoured hym.
26Let them be put to confusion & shame 27Let them triumph with gladnesse and reioyce that be delighted with my righteousnesse: let them say alwayes, blessed be God whiche hath pleasure in the prosperitie of his seruaunt. 28And my tongue shalbe talking of thy righteousnesse: and of thy prayse all the day long. |