1 P lead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me; Fight against those who fight against me.

2 T ake hold of shield and buckler, And stand up for my help.

3 A lso draw out the spear, And stop those who pursue me. Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”

4 L et those be put to shame and brought to dishonor Who seek after my life; Let those be turned back and brought to confusion Who plot my hurt.

5 L et them be like chaff before the wind, And let the angel of the Lord chase them.

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

7 F or without cause they have hidden their net for me in a pit, Which they have dug without cause for my life.

8 L et destruction come upon him unexpectedly, And let his net that he has hidden catch himself; Into that very destruction let him fall.

9 A nd my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; It shall rejoice in His salvation.

10 A ll my bones shall say, “ Lord, who is like You, Delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, Yes, the poor and the needy from him who plunders him?”

11 F ierce witnesses rise up; They ask me things that I do not know.

12 T hey reward me evil for good, To the sorrow of my soul.

13 B ut as for me, when they were sick, My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own heart.

14 I paced about as though he were my friend or brother; I bowed down heavily, as one who mourns for his mother.

15 B ut in my adversity they rejoiced And gathered together; Attackers gathered against me, And I did not know it; They tore at me and did not cease;

16 W ith ungodly mockers at feasts They gnashed at me with their teeth.

17 L ord, how long will You look on? Rescue me from their destructions, My precious life from the lions.

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

19 L et them not rejoice over me who are wrongfully my enemies; Nor let them wink with the eye who hate me without a cause.

20 F or they do not speak peace, But they devise deceitful matters Against the quiet ones in the land.

21 T hey also opened their mouth wide against me, And said, “Aha, aha! Our eyes have seen it. ”

22 T his You have seen, O Lord; Do not keep silence. O Lord, do not be far from me.

23 S tir up Yourself, and awake to my vindication, To my cause, my God and my Lord.

24 V indicate me, O Lord my God, according to Your righteousness; And let them not rejoice over me.

25 L et them not say in their hearts, “Ah, so we would have it!” Let them not say, “We have swallowed him up.”

26 L et them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion Who rejoice at my hurt; Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor Who exalt themselves against me.

27 L et them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”

28 A nd my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness And of Your praise all the day long.