1 A Psalm of David. Strive, O LORD, with them that strive with me; fight against them that fight against me. 2 Take hold of shield and buckler, and rise up to my help. 3 Draw out also the spear, and the battle-axe, against them that pursue me; say unto my soul: 'I am thy salvation.' 4 Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion that seek after my soul; let them be turned back and be abashed that devise my hurt. 5 Let them be as chaff before the wind, the angel of the LORD thrusting them. 6 Let their way be dark and slippery, the angel of the LORD pursuing them. 7 For without cause have they hid for me the pit, even their net, without cause have they digged for my soul. 8 Let destruction come upon him unawares; {N} and let his net that he hath hid catch himself; with destruction let him fall therein. 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 unto Thee, {N} who deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?' 11 Unrighteous witnesses rise up; they ask me of things that I know not. 12 They repay me evil for good; bereavement is come to my soul. 13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth, I afflicted my soul with fasting; {N} and my prayer, may it return into mine own bosom. 14 I went about as though it had been my friend or my brother; I bowed down mournful, as one that mourneth for his mother. 15 But when I halt they rejoice, and gather themselves together; {N} the abjects gather themselves together against me, and those whom I know not; {N} they tear me, and cease not; 16 With the profanest mockeries of backbiting they gnash at me with their teeth. 17 Lord, how long wilt Thou look on? {N} Rescue my soul from their destructions, mine only one from the lions. 18 I will give Thee thanks in the great congregation; I will praise Thee among a numerous people. 19 Let not them that are wrongfully mine enemies rejoice over me; neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause. 20 For they speak not peace; but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land. 21 Yea, they open their mouth wide against me; they say: 'Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.' 22 Thou hast seen, O LORD; keep not silence; O Lord, be not far from me. 23 Rouse Thee, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord. 24 Judge me, O LORD my God, according to Thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me. 25 Let them not say in their heart: 'Aha, we have our desire'; let them not say: 'We have swallowed him up.' 26 Let them be ashamed and abashed together that rejoice at my hurt; {N} let them be clothed with shame and confusion that magnify themselves against me. 27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that delight in my righteousness; {N} yea, let them say continually: 'Magnified be the LORD, who delighteth in the peace of His servant.' 28 And my tongue shall speak of Thy righteousness, and of Thy praise all the day. {P}