Psalm 34:1–16

1 For David himself.

Judge thou, O Lord, them that wrong me: overthrow them that fight against me.

2 Take hold of arms and shield: and rise up to help me.

3 Bring out the sword, and shut up the way against them that persecute me: say to my soul: I am thy salvation.

4 Let them be confounded and ashamed that seek after my soul. Let them be turned back and be confounded that devise evil against me.

5 Let them become as dust before the wind: and let the angel of the Lord straiten them.

6 Let their way become dark and slippery; and let the angel of the Lord pursue them.

7 For without cause they have hidden their net for me unto destruction: without cause they have upbraided my soul.

8 Let the snare which he knoweth not come upon him: and let the net which he hath hidden catch him: and into that very snare let them fall.

9 But my soul shall rejoice in the Lord; and shall be delighted in his salvation.

10 All my bones shall say: Lord, who is like to thee? Who deliverest the poor from the hand of them that are stronger than he; the needy and the poor from them that strip him.

11 Unjust witnesses rising up have asked me things I knew not.

12 They repaid me evil for good: to the depriving me of my soul.

13 But as for me, when they were troublesome to me, I was clothed with haircloth. I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer shall be turned into my bosom.

14 As a neighbour and as an own brother, so did I please: as one mourning and sorrowful so was I humbled.

15 But they rejoiced against me, and came together: scourges were gathered together upon me, and I knew not.

16 They were separated, and repented not: they tempted me, they scoffed at me with scorn: they gnashed upon me with their teeth.