Translation

1. A Psalm of David. Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.
2. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help.
3. Draw out also the spear and javelin against those who persecute me; say to my soul, I am your salvation.
4. Let those who seek after my soul be confounded and put to shame, let those who scheme evil against me be turned back and brought to confusion.
5. Let them be as chaff before the wind; and let the angel of the Lord chase them.
6. Let their way be dark and slippery; and let the angel of the Lord pursue them.
7. For without cause they hid for me their net; without cause they dug a pit for my soul.
8. Let destruction come upon him unawares; and let his net that he hid catch himself; into ruin let him fall.
9. And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; it shall rejoice in his salvation.
10. All my bones shall say, Lord, who is like to you, who rescues the poor from him who is too strong for him; the poor and needy from him who robs him.
11. False witnesses rise up; they ask me of things that I know not.
12. They repay me evil for good; a bereavement to my soul.
13. But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I afflicted my soul with fasting; and as for my prayer may it return to my own bosom.
14. I behaved as though he had been my friend or brother; I bowed down heavily, as one who mourns for his mother.
15. But when I stumbled they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together; Wretches whom I knew not tear me in pieces without ceasing.
16. Like profane men, scornful mockers, they gnashed at me with their teeth.
17. Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my soul from their destructions, my only one from the lions.
18. I will give you thanks in the great congregation; I will praise you among a great many people.
19. Let not those who are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me; nor let those who hate me without cause wink their eye. 20. For they do not speak peace; but they plot deceitful schemes against those who are quiet in the land.
21. They opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha! Our eye has seen it! 22. This you have seen, O Lord; do not be silent; O Lord, do not be far from me.
23. Bestir yourself, and awake to my judgment, to my cause, my God and my Lord.
24. Judge me, O Lord my God, according to your righteousness; and do not let them rejoice over me.
25. Do not let them say in their hearts, Aha, we have our heart’s desire! Do not let them say, We have swallowed him up!
26. Let those who rejoice at my calamity be ashamed and brought to confusion; let those who magnify themselves against me be clothed with shame and dishonor.
27. Let those who favor my righteous cause shout for joy, and be glad; let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, who delights in the prosperity of his servant.
28. And my tongue shall speak of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long.