35:1 Of David. I Oppose, LORD, those who oppose me; war upon those who make warupon me.
35:2 Take up the shield and buckler; rise up in my defense.
35:3 Brandish lance and battle-ax against my pursuers. Say to my heart, "I am yoursalvation."
35:4 Let those who seek my life be put to shame and disgrace. Let those who plotevil against me be turned back and confounded.
35:5 Make them like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving themon.
35:6 Make their way slippery and dark, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.II
35:7 Without cause they set their snare for me; without cause they dug a pit forme.
35:8 Let ruin overtake them unawares; let the snare they have set catch them; letthem fall into the pit they have dug.
35:9 Then I will rejoice in the LORD, exult in God’s salvation.
35:10 My very bones shall say, "O LORD, who is like you, Who rescue the afflictedfrom the powerful, the afflicted and needy from the despoiler?"III
35:11 Malicious witnesses come forward, accuse me of things I do not know.
35:12 They repay me evil for good and I am all alone.
35:13 Yet I, when they were ill, put on sackcloth, afflicted myself with fasting,sobbed my prayers upon my bosom.
35:14 I went about in grief as for my brother, bent in mourning as for my mother.
35:15 Yet when I stumbled they gathered with glee, gathered against me likestrangers. They slandered me without ceasing;
35:16 without respect they mocked me, gnashed their teeth against me.IV
35:17 Lord, how long will you look on? Save me from roaring beasts, my preciouslife from lions!
35:18 Then I will thank you in the great assembly; I will praise you before themighty throng.
35:19 Do not let lying foes smirk at me, my undeserved enemies wink knowingly.
35:20 They speak no words of peace, but against the quiet in the land they fashiondeceitful speech.
35:21 They open wide their mouths against me. They say, "Aha! Good! Our eyesrelish the sight!"
35:22 You see this, LORD; do not be silent; Lord, do not withdraw from me.
35:23 Awake, be vigilant in my defense, in my cause, my God and my Lord.
35:24 Defend me because you are just, LORD; my God, do not let them gloat over me.
35:25 Do not let them say in their hearts, "Aha! Just what we wanted!" Do not letthem say, "We have devoured that one!"
35:26 Put to shame and confound all who relish my misfortune. Clothe with shameand disgrace those who lord it over me.
35:27 But let those who favor my just cause shout for joy and be glad. May theyever say, "Exalted be the LORD who delights in the peace of his loyal servant."
35:28 Then my tongue shall recount your justice, declare your praise, all the daylong.