Contend, O Yahweh, with those who contend with me. Fight against those who fight against me.
Take hold of shield and buckler and rise up as my help.
And draw the spear and lance to meet those who pursue me. Tell my soul, “I am your salvation.”
Let those who seek after my soul be ashamed and humiliated. Let those who devise evil against me be turned back and ashamed.
Let them become like chaff before the wind, when the angel of Yahweh drives them away.
Let their road be dark and slippery, with the angel of Yahweh pursuing them.
For without cause they have hidden their net in a pit for me; without cause they have dug a pit for my soul.
Let destruction unexpectedly come on him. Yes, let his own net that he has hidden capture him. Let him fall into that very destruction.
Then my soul will be joyful in Yahweh. It will rejoice in his salvation.
All my bones will say, “Yahweh, who is like you, who delivers the afflicted person from the one who is too strong for him; yes, the afflicted person and the needy from the one who robs him?”
Violent witnesses rise up. They interrogate me about things of which I am unaware.
They repay me evil instead of good to the bereavement of my soul.
But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth. I humbled my soul with fasting, But my prayer returned into my own bosom.
I walked to and fro as though he had been a friend or a brother to me. I bowed down, dressed in dark clothing like the mourning for a mother.
But at my stumbling they rejoiced and assembled together. Oppressors I did not know gathered themselves together against me They slandered me and did not cease.
With godless and relentless mocking, they gnashed their teeth at me.
O Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my soul from their ravages, my only life from young lions.
I will give you thanks in the great assembly. I will praise you among many people.
Do not let those who are my deceitful enemies rejoice over me; neither let those who hate me without a cause wink their eyes.
For they do not speak peace, but they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.
Yes, they opened their mouth wide against me. They said, “Aha! Aha! Our eyes have seen it!”
You have seen it, O Yahweh. Do not keep silent! O Lord, do not be far away from me.
Rouse yourself! Yes, rise up to my defense, O my God! Yes, O Lord, rouse yourself on behalf of my dispute.
Judge me, O Yahweh my God, according to your righteousness. And do not let them rejoice over me.
Do not let them say in their heart, “Aha! Our desire!” Do not let them say, “We have swallowed him up!”
Let them be ashamed and humiliated together; those who rejoiced at my misfortune. Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves against me.
Let them shout for joy and be glad those who delight in my righteousness. Yes, let them say continually, “Let Yahweh be magnified, who delights in the well-being of his servant!”
And my tongue will proclaim your righteousness, singing a song of praise all day long.