35:1 A Psalm of David. Strive, O LORD, with them that strive with me; fight against them that fight against me.

35:2 Take hold of shield and buckler, and rise up to my help.

35:3 Draw out also the spear, and the battle-axe, against them that pursue me; say unto my soul: 'I am Thy salvation.'

35:4 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.

35:5 Let them be as chaff before the wind, the angel of the LORD thrusting them.

35:6 Let their way be dark and slippery, the angel of the LORD pursuing them.

35:7 For without cause have they hid for me the pit, even their net, without cause have they digged for my soul.

35:8 Let destruction come upon him unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself; with destruction let him fall therein.

35:9 And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD; it shall rejoice in His salvation.

35:10 All my bones shall 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 spoileth him?'

35:11 Unrighteous witnesses rise up; they ask me of things that I know not.

35:12 They repay me evil for good; bereavement is come to my soul.

35:13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth, I afflicted my soul with fasting; and my prayer, may it return into mine own bosom.

35:14 I went about as though it had been my friend or my brother; I bowed down mournful, as one that mourneth for his mother.

35:15 But when I halt they rejoice, and gather themselves together; the abjects gather themselves together against me, and those whom I know not; they tear me, and cease not;

35:16 With the profanest mockeries of backbiting they gnash at me with their teeth.

35:17 Lord, how long wilt Thou look on? Rescue my soul from their destructions, mine only one from the lions.

35:18 I will give Thee thanks in the great congregation; I will praise Thee among a numerous people.

35:19 Let not them that are wrongfully mine enemies rejoice over me; neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.

35:20 For they speak not peace; but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.

35:21 Yea, they open their mouth wide against me; they say: 'Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.'

35:22 Thou hast seen, O LORD; keep not silence; O Lord, be not far from me.

35:23 Arise Thou, and attend to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.

35:24 Judge me, O LORD my God, according to Thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.

35:25 Let them not say in their heart: 'Aha, we have our desire'; let them not say: 'We have swallowed him up.'

35:26 Let them be ashamed and abashed together that rejoice at my hurt; let them be clothed with shame and confusion that magnify themselves against me.

35:27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that delight in my righteousness; yea, let them say continually: 'Magnified be the LORD, who delighteth in the peace of His servant.'

35:28 And my tongue shall speak of Thy righteousness, and of Thy praise all the day.