Psalm 35:5–28
5 Let them be like chaff in the wind,
with the angel of the Lord driving them away. f
6 Let their way be dark and slippery,
with the angel of the Lord pursuing them. g
7 They hid their net for me without cause;
they dug a pit for me without cause. h
8 Let ruin come on him unexpectedly,
and let the net that he hid ensnare him;
let him fall into it—to his ruin. i
9 Then I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will delight in His deliverance. j
“Lord, who is like You, k
rescuing the poor from one too strong for him,
the poor or the needy from one who robs him?” l
11 Malicious witnesses come forward;
they question me about things I do not know. m
12 They repay me evil for good,
making me desolate. n
my clothing was * sackcloth;
I humbled myself with fasting,
and my prayer was genuine. o p
14 I went about grieving as if for my friend or brother;
I was bowed down with grief,
like one mourning a mother. q
15 But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee;
they gathered against me.
Assailants I did not know
tore at me and did not stop. r
16 With godless mockery s
they gnashed their teeth at me. t
17 Lord, how long will You look on? u
Rescue my life from their ravages,
my only one from the young lions. v
18 I will praise You in the great congregation;
I will exalt You among many people. w
19 Do not let my deceitful enemies rejoice over me;
do not let those who hate me without cause x
look at me maliciously. y
20 For they do not speak in friendly ways,
but contrive deceitful schemes z
against those who live peacefully in the land. a
21 They open their mouths wide against me and say,
22 You saw it, Lord; do not be silent.
Lord, do not be far from me. d
23 Wake up and rise to my defense,
to my cause, my God and my Lord! e
in keeping with Your righteousness,
and do not let them rejoice over me. f
25 Do not let them say in their hearts,
“Aha! Just what we wanted.”
Do not let them say,
“We have swallowed him up!” g
26 Let those who rejoice at my misfortune
be disgraced and humiliated;
let those who exalt themselves over me
be clothed with shame and reproach. h
27 Let those who want my vindication
shout for joy and be glad;
let them continually say,
“The Lord be exalted.
He takes pleasure in His servant’s well-being.” i
28 And my tongue will proclaim Your righteousness,
Your praise all day long. j