Verse 1
By David. O LORD, fight those who fight with me! Attack those who attack me!
Verse 2
Grab your small shield and large shield, and rise up to help me!
Verse 3
Use your spear and lance against those who chase me! Assure me with these words:“I am your deliverer!”
Verse 4
May those who seek my life be embarrassed and humiliated! May those who plan to harm me be turned back and ashamed!
Verse 5
May they be like wind-driven chaff, as the LORD’s angel attacks them!
Verse 6
May their path be dark and slippery, as the LORD’s angel chases them!
Verse 7
I did not harm them, but they hid a net to catch me and dug a pit to trap me.
Verse 8
Let destruction take them by surprise! Let the net they hid catch them! Let them fall into destruction!
Verse 9
Then I will rejoice in the LORD and be happy because of his deliverance.
Verse 10
With all my strength I will say,“O LORD, who can compare to you? You rescue the oppressed from those who try to overpower them; the oppressed and needy from those who try to rob them.”
Verse 11
Violent men perjure themselves, and falsely accuse me.
Verse 12
They repay me evil for the good I have done; I am overwhelmed with sorrow.
Verse 13
When they were sick, I wore sackcloth, and refrained from eating food.(If I am lying, may my prayers go unanswered!)
Verse 14
I mourned for them as I would for a friend or my brother. I bowed down in sorrow as if I were mourning for my mother.
Verse 15
But when I stumbled, they rejoiced and gathered together; they gathered together to ambush me. They tore at me without stopping to rest.
Verse 16
When I tripped, they taunted me relentlessly, and tried to bite me.
Verse 17
O Lord, how long are you going to watch this? Rescue me from their destructive attacks; guard my life from the young lions!
Verse 18
Then I will give you thanks in the great assembly; I will praise you before a large crowd of people!
Verse 19
Do not let those who are my enemies for no reason gloat over me! Do not let those who hate me without cause carry out their wicked schemes!
Verse 20
For they do not try to make peace with others, but plan ways to deceive those who live peacefully in the land.
Verse 21
They are ready to devour me; they say,“Aha! Aha! We’ve got you!”
Verse 22
But you take notice, LORD; do not be silent! O Lord, do not remain far away from me!
Verse 23
Rouse yourself, wake up and vindicate me! My God and Lord, defend my just cause!
Verse 24
Vindicate me by your justice, O LORD my God! Do not let them gloat over me!
Verse 25
Do not let them say to themselves,“Aha! We have what we wanted!” Do not let them say,“We have devoured him!”
Verse 26
May those who rejoice in my troubles be totally embarrassed and ashamed! May those who arrogantly taunt me be covered with shame and humiliation!
Verse 27
May those who desire my vindication shout for joy and rejoice! May they continually say,“May the LORD be praised, for he wants his servant to be secure.”
Verse 28
Then I will tell others about your justice, and praise you all day long.