1“Of David.” Contend, O Lord, with those that contend with me: fight against those that fight against me.
2Take hold of shield and buckler, and rise up for my help.
3And draw out the spear, and step in against my pursuers; say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.
4Let those be put to shame and be confounded that seek after my life: let those be turned backward and be made to blush, that devise unhappiness for me.
5Let them be as chaff before the wind; and may the angel of the Lord cast them forth.
6May their way be dark and slippery: and may the angel of the Lord pursue them.
7For without cause have they hidden for me their net in a pit, without cause have they dug [pit-falls] against my life.
8May then destruction come upon each of them at unawares; and may his net that he hath hidden catch himself: in [utter] destruction let him fall therein.
9But my soul shall exult in the Lord: she shall be glad through his salvation.
10All my bones will say, Lord, who is like unto thee, who deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that robbeth him?
11There rise up witnesses of violence; concerning what I know not they question me.
12They recompense me with evil in place of good, [bringing] bereavement on my soul.
13But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I afflicted with fasting my soul, and my prayer returned into my own bosom.
14As though he had been to me a friend or a brother did I walk about: as one that mourneth for a mother did I sorrowfully bend down my head.
15But in my downfall they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together; there gathered themselves together against me abject wretches, whom I knew not; they did tear me, and ceased not:
16With hypocritical babbling mockers, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
17O Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, from the young lions my solitary spirit.
18I will thank thee in the great assembly: among a mighty people will I praise thee.
19Let not rejoice over me those that are my enemies wrongfully: [nor] let those who hate me without cause wink with the eye.
20For they speak not peace; but against the quiet in the land they devise deceitful words.
21Yea, they opened wide against me their mouth; they said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.
22Thou hast seen it, O Lord! remain not silent: O Lord, be not far from me.
23Arouse thyself, and awake to do me justice, my God and my Lord, unto my cause.
24Judge me according to thy righteousness, O Lord my God; and let them not rejoice over me.
25Let them not say in their heart, Aha, [this is the wish of] our soul: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.
26Let those be made ashamed and put to the blush together that rejoice at my mishap; let them be clothed with shame and confusion that magnify themselves above me.
27Let those shout, and rejoice, that desire my righteousness: yea, let them say continually, Great is the Lord, who desireth the welfare of his servant.
28And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness, all the day of thy praise.