Psalm 35New King James Version
TheLordthe Avenger of His People
A Psalmof David.
35 Plead[a]my cause,OLord, with those who strive with me;
Fight against those who fight against me.
2 Take hold of shield and[b]buckler,
And stand up for my help.
3 Also draw out the spear,
And stop those who pursue me.
Say to my soul,
“Iamyour salvation.”
4 (A)Let those be put to shame and brought to dishonor
Who seek after my life;
Let those be(B)turned back and brought to confusion
Who plot my hurt.
5 (C)Let them be like chaff before the wind,
And let the[c]angel of theLordchasethem.
6 Let their way be(D)dark and slippery,
And let the angel of theLordpursue them.
7 For without cause they have(E)hidden their net for meina pit,
Whichthey have dug without cause for my life.
8 [d]Let(F)destruction come upon him unexpectedly,
And let his net that he has hidden catch himself;
Into that very destruction let him fall.
9 And my soul shall be joyful in theLord;
It shall rejoice in His salvation.
10 (G)All my bones shall say,
“Lord,(H)whoislike You,
Delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him,
Yes, the poor and the needy from him who plunders him?”
11 Fierce witnesses rise up;
They ask methingsthat I do not know.
12 (I)They reward me evil for good,
Tothe sorrow of my soul.
13 But as for me,(J)when they were sick,
My clothingwassackcloth;
I humbled myself with fasting;
And my prayer would return to my own[e]heart.
14 I paced about as thoughhe weremy friendorbrother;
I bowed down[f]heavily, as one who mournsfor hismother.
15 But in my[g]adversity they rejoiced
And gathered together;
Attackers gathered against me,
And I did not knowit;
They toreat meand did not cease;
16 With ungodly mockers at feasts
They gnashed at me with their teeth.
17 Lord, how long will You(K)look on?
Rescue me from their destructions,
My preciouslifefrom the lions.
18 I will give You thanks in the great assembly;
I will praise You among[h]many people.
19 (L)Let them not rejoice over me who are wrongfully my enemies;
Nor let them wink with the eye who hate me without a cause.
20 For they do not speak peace,
But they devise deceitful matters
Againstthequiet ones in the land.
21 They also opened their mouth wide against me,
Andsaid, “Aha, aha!
Our eyes have seenit.”
22 ThisYou have seen, OLord;
Do not keep silence.
O Lord, do not be far from me.
23 Stir up Yourself, and awake to my vindication,
To my cause, my God and my Lord.
24 Vindicate me, OLordmy God, according to Your righteousness;
And let them not rejoice over me.
25 Let them not say in their hearts, “Ah, so we would have it!”
Let them not say, “We have swallowed him up.”
26 Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion
Who rejoice at my hurt;
Let them be(M)clothed with shame and dishonor
Who exalt themselves against me.
27 (N)Let them shout for joy and be glad,
Who favor my righteous cause;
And let them say continually,
“Let theLordbe magnified,
Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”
28 And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness
Andof Your praise all the day long.
Footnotes
- Psalm 35:1Contend for me
- Psalm 35:2A small shield
- Psalm 35:5OrAngel
- Psalm 35:8Lit.Let destruction he does not know come upon him,
- Psalm 35:13Lit.bosom
- Psalm 35:14in mourning
- Psalm 35:15limping, stumbling
- Psalm 35:18a mighty
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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