35:1
[Of David] Accuse my accusers, Yahweh, attack my attackers.
35:2
Grasp your buckler and shield, up, and help me.
35:3
Brandish spear and pike to confront my pursuers, give me the assurance, 'I am your Saviour.'
35:4
Shame and humiliation on those who are out to kill me! Defeat and repulse in dismay on those who plot my downfall.
35:5
May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of Yahweh to chase them.
35:6
May their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of Yahweh to hound them.
35:7
Unprovoked they laid their snare for me, unprovoked dug a trap to kill me.
35:8
Ruin comes upon them unawares; the snare they have laid will catch them, and into their own trap they will fall.
35:9
Then I shall delight in Yahweh, rejoice that he has saved me.
35:10
My very bones will all exclaim, Yahweh, who can compare with you in rescuing the poor from the oppressor; the needy from the exploiter?
35:11
False witnesses come forward against me asking me questions I cannot answer, they cross-examine me,
35:12
repay my kindness with cruelty, make my life barren.
35:13
But I, when they were ill, had worn sackcloth, and mortified myself with fasting, praying ever anew in my heart,
35:14
as if for a friend or brother; I had wandered restless, as if mourning a mother, so bowed had I been in sorrow.
35:15
When I stumble they gather in glee, gather around me; strangers I never even knew tear me apart incessantly.
35:16
If I fall they surround me, grinding their teeth at me.
35:17
How much longer, Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their onslaughts, from young lions rescue the one life that I have.
35:18
I will give you thanks in the great assembly praise you where the people gather.
35:19
Let not my lying enemies gloat over me; those who hate me unprovoked look askance at me.
35:20
They have no greeting of peace to the peace-loving people of the land; they think up deceptive speeches.
35:21
Their mouths wide open to accuse me, they say, 'Come on now, we saw you.'
35:22
You saw it, Yahweh, do not stay silent; Lord, do not stand aloof from me.
35:23
Up, awake, to my defence, my God and my Lord, to my cause.
35:24
In your saving justice give judgement for me, Yahweh my God, and do not let them gloat over me.
35:25
Do not let them think, 'Just as we hoped,' nor, 'Now we have swallowed him up.'
35:26
Shame and dismay on them all who gloat over my misfortunes. Let all who profit at my expense be covered with shame and disgrace.
35:27
But let all who delight in my uprightness shout for joy and gladness; let them constantly say, 'Great is Yahweh, who delights to see his servant in peace.'
35:28
And my tongue shall recount your saving justice, all day long sing your praise.
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