Psalms 35

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Of David. Oppose, LORD, those who oppose me; war upon those who make war upon me.	1 Unto the end. To the servant of the Lord, David himself.
2 Take up the shield and buckler; rise up in my defense.	2 The unjust one has said within himself that he would commit offenses. There is no fear of God before his eyes.
3 Brandish lance and battle-ax against my pursuers. Say to my heart, "I am your salvation."	3 For he has acted deceitfully in his sight, such that his iniquity will be found to be hatred.
4 Let those who seek my life be put to shame and disgrace. Let those who plot evil against me be turned back and confounded.	4 The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit. He is unwilling to understand, so that he may act well.
5 Make them like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them on.	5 He has been considering iniquity on his bed. He has set himself on every way that is not good; moreover, he has not hated evil.
6 Make their way slippery and dark, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.	6 Lord, your mercy is in heaven, and your truth is even to the clouds.
7 Without cause they set their snare for me; without cause they dug a pit for me.	7 Your justice is like the mountains of God. Your judgments are a great abyss. Men and beasts, you will save, O Lord.
8 Let ruin overtake them unawares; let the snare they have set catch them; let them fall into the pit they have dug.	8 How you have multiplied your mercy, O God! And so the sons of men will hope under the cover of your wings.
9 Then I will rejoice in the LORD, exult in God's salvation.	9 They will be inebriated with the fruitfulness of your house, and you will give them to drink from the torrent of your enjoyment.
10 My very bones shall say, "O LORD, who is like you, Who rescue the afflicted from the powerful, the afflicted and needy from the despoiler?"	10 For with you is the fountain of life; and within your light, we will see the light.
11 Malicious witnesses come forward, accuse me of things I do not know.	11 Extend your mercy before those who know you, and your justice to these, who are upright in heart.
12 They repay me evil for good and I am all alone.	12 May arrogant feet not approach me, and may the hand of the sinner not disturb me.
13 Yet I, when they were ill, put on sackcloth, afflicted myself with fasting, sobbed my prayers upon my bosom.	13 In that place, those who work iniquity have fallen. They have been expelled; they were not able to stand.
14 I went about in grief as for my brother, bent in mourning as for my mother.
15 Yet when I stumbled they gathered with glee, gathered against me like strangers. They slandered me without ceasing;
16 without respect they mocked me, gnashed their teeth against me.
17 Lord, how long will you look on? Save me from roaring beasts, my precious life from lions!
18 Then I will thank you in the great assembly; I will praise you before the mighty throng.
19 Do not let lying foes smirk at me, my undeserved enemies wink knowingly.
20 They speak no words of peace, but against the quiet in the land they fashion deceitful speech.
21 They open wide their mouths against me. They say, "Aha! Good! Our eyes relish the sight!"
22 You see this, LORD; do not be silent; Lord, do not withdraw from me.
23 Awake, be vigilant in my defense, in my cause, my God and my Lord.
24 Defend me because you are just, LORD; my God, do not let them gloat over me.
25 Do not let them say in their hearts, "Aha! Just what we wanted!" Do not let them say, "We have devoured that one!"
26 Put to shame and confound all who relish my misfortune. Clothe with shame and disgrace those who lord it over me.
27 But let those who favor my just cause shout for joy and be glad. May they ever say, "Exalted be the LORD who delights in the peace of his loyal servant."
28 Then my tongue shall recount your justice, declare your praise, all the day long.