Psalms 35 David calls for punishment for the wicked; he describes their misery and pleads for God to judge them

 Psalms 35

David calls for punishment for the wicked; he describes their misery and pleads for God to judge them

1 Plead, O Lord, with those who strive with me; fight against those who fight against me.

2 Take hold of the shield and buckler, and arise to help me.

3 Draw out the spear and block the way for those who pursue me; say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”

4 Let those who seek my life be ashamed and put to shame; let those who plan evil against me be turned back and put to shame.

5 Let them be like chaff before the wind; let the angel of the Lord drive them away.

6 Let their way be dark and slippery, and let the angel of the Lord pursue them.

7 For without cause they have hidden from me the net in the pit, which they have dug for my soul without cause.

8 Let destruction come upon them, and they know not; and let the net that he has hidden catch him; let him fall into that same destruction.

9 And my soul shall rejoice in the Lord; it shall be glad in his salvation.

10 All my bones shall say, Lord, who is like you, who rescues the poor from one too strong for him? Yes, the poor and needy from those who rob him.

11 False witnesses have risen up; they have testified against me things that I knew not.

12 They have repaid me evil for good, robbing me of my life.

13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled my soul with fasting, and my prayer returned to my bosom.

14 I behaved toward him as though he were my brother or my friend; I went about mourning and bowed low, as one mourning for his mother. 

15 But they rejoiced at my affliction, and gathered themselves together: the objects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they tore me to pieces, and ceased not.

 16 Like mocking hypocrites at a feast, they gnashed their teeth at me.

 17 O Lord, how long wilt thou look on? Rescue my soul from their desolations, and my darling from the lions. 

18 I will praise thee in the great assembly; I will give thanks to thee among many people. 

19 Let not mine enemies rejoice over me without cause, neither let them wink their eyes that hate me without cause.

 20 For they speak not peace, but devise deceit to the quiet of the earth. 

21 They open wide their mouths against me, and say, Aha! aha! our eyes have seen it.

 22 O Lord, thou hast seen it; be not silent; O Lord, be not far from me: 

23 Awake and awake to my judgment, to my cause, my God and my Lord. 

24 Judge me according to your righteousness, O Lord my God, and do not let them rejoice over me. 

25 Let them not say in their hearts, “Woe to you, our soul!” Let them not say, “We have swallowed him up.” 

26 Let them be ashamed and confounded together who rejoice at my hurt; let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves against me. 

27 Let those who love my righteousness sing and be glad, and let them say continually, “The Lord, who delights in the prosperity of his servant, be magnified.” 

28 So my tongue will speak of your righteousness and your praise all day long.