A Psalm of David. Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.

Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.

Draw out also the spear, and stop{H8798)} the way against{H8800)} them that persecute{H8802)} me: say{H8798)} unto my soul, I am thy salvation.

Let them be confounded and put to shame{H8735)} that seek{H8764)} after my soul: let them be turned{H8735)} back and brought to confusion{H8799)} that devise{H8802)} my hurt.

Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them.

Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them.

For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged{H8804)} for my soul.

Let destruction come upon him at unawares{H8799)}; and let his net that he hath hid{H8804)} catch{H8799)} himself: into that very destruction let him fall{H8799)}.

And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice{H8799)} in his salvation.

All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest{H8688)} the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth{H8802)} him?

False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge{H8799)} things that I knew{H8804)} not.

They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.

But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled{H8765)} my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned{H8799)} into mine own bosom.

I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down{H8804)} heavily{H8802)}, as one that mourneth for his mother.

But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together{H8738)}: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together{H8738)} against me, and I knew{H8804)} it not; they did tear{H8804)} me, and ceased{H8804)} not:

With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.

Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue{H8685)} my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.

I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise{H8762)} thee among much people.

Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice{H8799)} over me: neither let them wink{H8799)} with the eye that hate{H8802)} me without a cause.

For they speak not peace: but they devise{H8799)} deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.

Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said{H8804)}, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen{H8804)} it.

This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence{H8799)}: O Lord, be not far{H8799)} from me.

Stir up thyself, and awake{H8685)} to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.

Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice{H8799)} over me.

Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say{H8799)}, We have swallowed him up{H8765)}.

Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion{H8799)} together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed{H8799)} with shame and dishonour that magnify{H8688)} themselves against me.

Let them shout for joy, and be glad{H8799)}, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say{H8799)} continually, Let the LORD be magnified{H8799)}, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.