Psalm 35 | Liturgical Calendar

1

Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me, *

and fight against those who fight against me.

2

Take up the shield and buckler, *

and stand up to help me.

3

Bring forth the spear and bar the way against those who pursue me; *

say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”

4

Let them be confounded and put to shame who seek after my life; *

let them be turned back and brought to confusion who imagine evil against me.

5

Let them be as the chaff before the wind, *

and let the angel of the Lord scatter them.

6

Let their way be dark and slippery, *

and let the angel of the Lord pursue them.

7

For they have secretly laid their net to destroy me without a cause; *

indeed, without a cause have they made a pit to take away my life.

8

Let sudden destruction come upon them unawares, and the net, which they have laid secretly, catch themselves, *

that they may fall into their own trouble.

9

Then shall my soul be joyful in the Lord; *

I shall rejoice in his salvation.

10

All my bones shall say, “Lord, who is like you? You deliver the poor from those who are too strong for them; *

indeed, the poor and those who are in misery from those who rob them.”

11

Malicious witnesses rise up; *

they charge me with matters I know nothing about.

12

They repay me evil for good, *

to the great sorrow of my soul.

13

Nevertheless, when they were sick, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting; *

I prayed with my whole heart, as if it had been my friend or my brother.

14

I behaved myself as one who mourns for his mother; *

I was bowed down with heaviness of heart.

15

But in my adversity, they rejoiced and gathered themselves together; *

indeed, those who struck me came together against me and I had no rest; they tore at me, and would not cease.

16

When I stumbled they mocked me exceedingly, *

and gnashed at me with their teeth.

17

Lord, how long will you look on this? *

O deliver me from the calamities they bring upon me, and my life from the lions.

18

So will I give you thanks in the great congregation; *

I will praise you among many people.

19

O let not those who are my enemies triumph over me deceitfully; *

neither let them wink with their eyes, those who hate me without a cause.

20

For their talking is not for peace; *

but they imagine deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.

21

They open their mouths at me, and say, *

“Aha! Aha! We saw it with our own eyes!”

22

This you have seen, O Lord. *

Hold not your tongue then; be not far from me, O Lord.

23

Awake, and stand up to judge my case; *

avenge my cause, my God and my Lord.

24

Judge me, O Lord my God, according to your righteousness, *

and let them not triumph over me.

25

Let them not say in their hearts, “Aha! We have what we want!” *

Neither let them say, “We have devoured him.”

26

Let them be put to confusion and shame who rejoice at my trouble; *

let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who boast against me.

27

Let them be glad and rejoice who favor my righteous cause; *

indeed, let them say always, “Great is the Lord, who takes pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.”

28

And as for my tongue, it shall be talking of your righteousness *

and of your praise all the day long.