1 B y David. Strive, Jehovah, with my strivers, fight with my fighters,

2 T ake hold of shield and buckler, and rise for my help,

3 A nd draw out spear and lance, To meet my pursuers. Say to my soul, `Thy salvation I.'

4 T hey are ashamed and blush, those seeking my soul, Turned backward and confounded, Those devising my evil.

5 T hey are as chaff before wind, And a messenger of Jehovah driving away.

6 T heir way is darkness and slipperiness, And a messenger of Jehovah their pursuer.

7 F or without cause they hid for me their netpit, Without cause they digged for my soul.

8 M eet him doth desolation -- he knoweth not, And his net that he hid catcheth him, For desolation he falleth into it.

9 A nd my soul is joyful in Jehovah, It rejoiceth in His salvation.

10 A ll my bones say, `Jehovah, who is like Thee, Delivering the poor from the stronger than he, And the poor and needy from his plunderer.'

11 V iolent witnesses rise up, That which I have not known they ask me.

12 T hey pay me evil for good, bereaving my soul,

13 A nd I -- in their sickness my clothing sackcloth, I have humbled with fastings my soul, And my prayer unto my bosom returneth.

14 A s a friend, as my brother, I walked habitually, As a mourner for a mother, Mourning I have bowed down.

15 A nd -- in my halting they have rejoiced, And have been gathered together, Gathered against me were the smiters, And I have not known, They have rent, and they have not ceased;

16 W ith profane ones, mockers in feasts, Gnashing against me their teeth.

17 L ord, how long dost thou behold? Keep back my soul from their desolations, From young lions my only one.

18 I thank Thee in a great assembly, Among a mighty people I praise Thee.

19 M ine enemies rejoice not over me falsehood, Those hating me without cause wink the eye.

20 F or they speak not peace, And against the quiet of the land, Deceitful words they devise,

21 A nd they enlarge against me their mouth, They said, `Aha, aha, our eye hath seen.'

22 T hou hast seen, O Jehovah, Be not silent, O Lord -- be not far from me,

23 S tir up, and wake to my judgment, My God, and my Lord, to my plea.

24 J udge me according to Thy righteousness, O Jehovah my God, And they do not rejoice over me.

25 T hey do not say in their heart, `Aha, our desire.' They do not say, `We swallowed him up.'

26 T hey are ashamed and confounded together, Who are rejoicing at my evil. They put on shame and confusion, Who are magnifying themselves against me.

27 T hey sing and rejoice, who are desiring my righteousness, And they say continually, `Jehovah is magnified, Who is desiring the peace of His servant.'

28 A nd my tongue uttereth Thy righteousness, All the day Thy praise!