Pleadmy cause, OLORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.
Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.
Draw out also the spear, and stopthe wayagainst them that persecute me: say unto my soul, Iamthy salvation.
Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.
Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of theLORDchasethem.
Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of theLORDpersecute them.
For without cause have they hid for me their netina pit,whichwithout cause they have digged for my soul.
Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.
And my soul shall be joyful in theLORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
All my bones shall say,LORD, whoislike unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?
False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my chargethingsthat I knew not.
They rewarded me evil for goodtothe spoiling of my soul.
But as for me, when they were sick, my clothingwassackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.
I behaved myself as thoughhe had beenmy friendorbrother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mournethfor hismother.
But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together:yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knewitnot; they did tearme, and ceased not:
With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.
I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.
Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me:neitherlet them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.
For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters againstthem that arequiet in the land.
Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me,andsaid, Aha, aha, our eye hath seenit.
Thisthou hast seen, OLORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.
Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment,evenunto my cause, my God and my Lord.
Judge me, OLORDmy God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.
Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.
Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnifythemselvesagainst me.
Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let theLORDbe magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousnessandof thy praise all the day long.