1By David. Strive, Jehovah, with my strivers, fight with my fighters,

2Take hold of shield and buckler, and rise for my help,

3And draw out spear and lance, To meet my pursuers. Say to my soul, 'Thy salvation I [am].'

4They are ashamed and blush, those seeking my soul, Turned backward and confounded, Those devising my evil.

5They are as chaff before wind, And a messenger of Jehovah driving away.

6Their way is darkness and slipperiness, And a messenger of Jehovah their pursuer.

7For without cause they hid for me their netpit, Without cause they digged for my soul.

8Meet him doth desolation — he knoweth not, And his net that he hid catcheth him, For desolation he falleth into it.

9And my soul is joyful in Jehovah, It rejoiceth in His salvation.

10All my bones say, 'Jehovah, who is like Thee, Delivering the poor from the stronger than he, And the poor and needy from his plunderer.'

11Violent witnesses rise up, That which I have not known they ask me.

12They pay me evil for good, bereaving my soul,

13And I — in their sickness my clothing [is] sackcloth, I have humbled with fastings my soul, And my prayer unto my bosom returneth.

14As [if] a friend, as [if] my brother, I walked habitually, As a mourner for a mother, Mourning I have bowed down.

15And — in my halting they have rejoiced, And have been gathered together, Gathered against me were the smiters, And I have not known, They have rent, and they have not ceased;

16With profane ones, mockers in feasts, Gnashing against me their teeth.

17Lord, how long dost thou behold? Keep back my soul from their desolations, From young lions my only one.

18I thank Thee in a great assembly, Among a mighty people I praise Thee.

19Mine enemies rejoice not over me [with] falsehood, Those hating me without cause wink the eye.

20For they speak not peace, And against the quiet of the land, Deceitful words they devise,

21And they enlarge against me their mouth, They said, 'Aha, aha, our eye hath seen.'

22Thou hast seen, O Jehovah, Be not silent, O Lord — be not far from me,

23Stir up, and wake to my judgment, My God, and my Lord, to my plea.

24Judge me according to Thy righteousness, O Jehovah my God, And they do not rejoice over me.

25They do not say in their heart, 'Aha, our desire.' They do not say, 'We swallowed him up.'

26They are ashamed and confounded together, Who are rejoicing at my evil. They put on shame and confusion, Who are magnifying themselves against me.

27They sing and rejoice, who are desiring my righteousness, And they say continually, 'Jehovah is magnified, Who is desiring the peace of His servant.'

28And my tongue uttereth Thy righteousness, All the day Thy praise!