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35:1  Of David. Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive against me; fight against those who fight against me.
35:2  Grasp your shield and buckler and spring to my aid.
35:3  Brandish your spear and battle-ax against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”
35:4  May those who seek my life suffer shame and disgrace. May those who plan my downfall be forced to retreat in disgrace.
35:5  May they be like chaff flying in the wind, with the angel of the Lord scattering them.
35:6  May their way be shadowy and slippery, with the angel of the Lord in pursuit.
35:7  Without cause they laid a net to trap me; without cause they dug a pit to ensnare me.
35:8  May ruin come upon them unawares; may the net they laid entrap them; may they topple into the pit they dug.
35:9  Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and exult in his salvation.
35:10  My whole being will say, “O Lord, who is there like you? You deliver those who are weak from those who are too strong for them, and you protect the poor and needy from those who seek to exploit them.”
35:11  False witnesses step forward and question me about things I do not know.
35:12  They give me back evil in place of good and leave my soul in sorrow.
35:13  Yet, when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and afflicted myself with fasting, while I poured forth prayers from my heart.
35:14  I went about as though in grief, as though for a friend or brother. I bowed down in sorrow as though lamenting for a mother.
35:15  But when I stumbled, they rejoiced and came together; they came together and struck me unawares. They slandered me without letup.
35:16  They mocked me with ever increasing fury as they gnashed their teeth at me.
35:17  How long, O Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from these ravening beasts; preserve my precious life from these lions.
35:18  I will offer you thanks in the great assembly; I will praise you amid the vast throng.
35:19  Do not allow my treacherous enemies to gloat over me; do not permit those who hate me without reason to wink their eyes at me.
35:20  For they do not speak words of peace, but they contrive deceitful words to lead astray the peaceful in the land.
35:21  They open wide their mouths shouting, “Aha! Aha! We have seen it with our own eyes.”
35:22  You have seen, O Lord; do not be silent. O Lord, do not be far from me.
35:23  Awaken and be diligent in my defense; come to my aid, my God and my Lord.
35:24  Defend me, O Lord, my God, according to your righteousness, and do not let them gloat over me.
35:25  Do not let them think, “Aha! This is just what we wanted.” Do not let them say, “We have swallowed him up.”
35:26  Let all those who rejoice at my downfall be put to shame and dismayed. Let those who rise up arrogantly against me be covered with shame and dishonor.
35:27  But let those who desire my vindication shout for joy and be glad. Let them cry out continually, “Exalted be the Lord who delights to see his servant in peace.”
35:28  Then my tongue shall proclaim your righteousness and sing your praise all the day long.