Psalm 35

1 Argue my case, ^{a35:1 The Heb. lacks my case} LORD, against those who argue against me. Fight against those who fight against me.ISV — Psalm 35:1

2 Take up the buckler ^{b35:2 i.e. a small shield} and the shield, and rise up to help me.ISV — Psalm 35:2

3 Take out the spear and the ax to confront the one who pursues me; say to me, “I am your deliverer!”ISV — Psalm 35:3

4 Let those who seek my life be ashamed and disgraced; let those who plot evil against me be driven back and confounded.ISV — Psalm 35:4

5 Make them like the chaff before the wind, as the messenger of the LORD pushes them aside.ISV — Psalm 35:5

6 May their path be dark and slippery, as the messenger of the LORD tracks them down.ISV — Psalm 35:6

7 Without justification they laid a snare for me; without justification they dug a pit to trap me.ISV — Psalm 35:7

8 Let destruction come upon them ^{c35:8 Lit. him} unawares, and let the net that he hid catch him; let him fall into destruction.ISV — Psalm 35:8

9 My soul will rejoice in the LORD and be glad in his deliverance.ISV — Psalm 35:9

10 All my bones will say, “LORD, who is like you? Who delivers the weak from the one who is stronger than he, and the weak and the needy from the one who wants to rob him?”ISV — Psalm 35:10

11 False witnesses stepped forward and questioned me concerning things about which I knew nothing.ISV — Psalm 35:11

12 They paid me back evil for good; my soul mourns.ISV — Psalm 35:12

13 But when they were sick, I wore sackcloth, humbled myself with fasting, and prayed from my heart repeatedly for them. ^{d35:13 The Heb. lacks for them}ISV — Psalm 35:13

14 I paced about as for my friend or my brother, and fell down mourning as one weeps for one’s mother.ISV — Psalm 35:14

15 But when I stumbled, they rejoiced and gathered together. They gathered together against me— attackers whom I did not know. They tore me apart and would not stop.ISV — Psalm 35:15

16 Malicious mockers ^{e35:16 So LXX; DSS 4QPs read They mocked me viciously; MT reads Mockers of cake} — they gnashed ^{f35:16 So DSS 4QPs LXX; MT reads gnashing} their teeth against me.ISV — Psalm 35:16

17 Lord, how long will you just watch? Rescue me from their destruction, my precious life from these young lions.ISV — Psalm 35:17

18 Then I will give you thanks in front of the great congregation; in the midst of the mighty throng I will praise you.ISV — Psalm 35:18

19 Do not let my deceitful enemies gloat over me, nor let those who hate me without justification mock me with their eyes.ISV — Psalm 35:19

20 For they do not speak peace; they devise clever lies against the peaceful people of the land.ISV — Psalm 35:20

21 They open their mouth wide against me, claiming, “Yes! Yes! We saw him do ^{g35:21 The Heb. lacks him do} it with our own eyes!”ISV — Psalm 35:21

22 You see this, LORD, so do not be silent. Lord, do not be far from me!ISV — Psalm 35:22

23 Wake up! Arouse yourself to vindicate me and argue my case, my God and my Lord.ISV — Psalm 35:23

24 Judge me according to your righteousness, LORD my God! But do not let them gloat over me.ISV — Psalm 35:24

25 Don’t let them say in their hearts, “Yes! We got what we wanted.” Don’t let them say, “We have swallowed him up.”ISV — Psalm 35:25

26 Instead, let those who gloat over the evil directed against me be ashamed and confounded together; Let those who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and dishonor.ISV — Psalm 35:26

27 Let those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and rejoice! Let them continuously say, “Magnify the LORD, who delights in giving peace to ^{h35:27 So MT; DSS 4QPsa LXX read LORD, you who delight in the welfare of} his servant.”ISV — Psalm 35:27

28 My tongue will declare your righteousness and praise you all day long.ISV — Psalm 35:28