Contend with Those who Contend with Me

1{34:1}For David himself. Judge thou, O Lord, them that wrong me: overthrow them that fight against me.

2{34:2}Take hold of arms and shield: and rise up to help me.

3{34:3}Bring out the sword, and shut up the way against them that persecute me: say to my soul: I am thy salvation.

4{34:4}Let them be confounded and ashamed that seek after my soul. Let them be turned back and be confounded that devise evil against me.

5{34:5}Let them become as dust before the wind: and let the angel of the Lord straiten them.

6{34:6}Let their way become dark and slippery; and let the angel of the Lord pursue them.

7{34:7}For without cause they have hidden their net for me unto destruction: without cause they have upbraided my soul.

8{34:8}Let the snare which he knoweth not come upon him: and let the net which he hath hidden catch him: and into that very snare let them fall.

9{34:9}But my soul shall rejoice in the Lord; and shall be delighted in his salvation.

10{34:10}All my bones shall say: Lord, who is like to thee? Who deliverest the poor from the hand of them that are stronger than he; the needy and the poor from them that strip him.

11{34:11}Unjust witnesses rising up have asked me things I knew not.

12{34:12}They repaid me evil for good: to the depriving me of my soul.

13{34:13}But as for me, when they were troublesome to me, I was clothed with haircloth. I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer shall be turned into my bosom.

14{34:14}As a neighbour and as an own brother, so did I please: as one mourning and sorrowful so was I humbled.

15{34:15}But they rejoiced against me, and came together: scourges were gathered together upon me, and I knew not.

16{34:16}They were separated, and repented not: they tempted me, they scoffed at me with scorn: they gnashed upon me with their teeth.

17{34:17}Lord, when wilt thou look upon me? rescue thou my soul from their malice: my only one from the lions.

18{34:18}I will give thanks to thee in a great church; I will praise thee in a strong people.

19{34:19}Let not them that are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: who have hated me without cause, and wink with the eyes.

20{34:20}For they spoke indeed peaceably to me; and speaking in the anger of the earth they devised guile.

21{34:21}And they opened their mouth wide against me; they said: Well done, well done, our eyes have seen it.

22{34:22}Thou hast seen, O Lord, be not thou silent: O Lord, depart not from me.

23{34:23}Arise, and be attentive to my judgment: to my cause, my God, and my Lord.

24{34:24}Judge me, O Lord my God according to thy justice, and let them not rejoice over me.

25{34:25}Let them not say in their hearts: It is well, it is well, to our mind: neither let them say: We have swallowed him up.

26{34:26}Let them blush: and be ashamed together, who rejoice at my evils. Let them be clothed with confusion and shame, who speak great things against me.

27{34:27}Let them rejoice and be glad, who are well pleased with my justice, and let them say always: The Lord be magnified, who delights in the peace of his servant.

28{34:28}And my tongue shall meditate thy justice, thy praise all the day long.