1 Plead my case, O Jehovah, against those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.
2 Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help.
3 Also draw out the spear and close up the way against those who pursue me; say to my soul, I am your salvation.
4 Let those who seek after my soul be put to shame and dishonored; let those who devise evil against me be turned back and abashed.
5 Let them be as chaff before the wind, and let the Angel of Jehovah drive them away.
6 Let their way be dark and slippery, and let the Angel of Jehovah pursue them.
7 For without cause they have hidden their net for me in a pit; without cause they have dug for my soul.
8 Let destruction come upon him before he knows it, and let his net which he has concealed catch him; let him fall into that very destruction.
9 And my soul shall be joyful in Jehovah; it shall rejoice in His salvation.
10 All my bones shall say, Jehovah, who is like You, who delivers the lowly from him who is too strong for him; yea, the poor and the needy from him who plunders him?
11 Violent witnesses rose up; they asked of me things which I have not known.
12 They rewarded me evil for good, to the bereavement of my soul.
13 But when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled my soul with fastings; and my prayer returned into my own bosom.
14 As a friend, as to my brother, I walked about; as one who mourns for a mother, I was bowed down in gloom, mourning.
15 But at my stumbling they gathered themselves together and rejoiced; and before I knew it the attackers gathered themselves against me; they tore at me and were not still;
16 with the hypocrites, mockers, for a cake, they gnashed at me with their teeth.
17 O Jehovah, how long will You look on? Rescue my soul from their ravages, my only one from the lions.
18 I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among many people.
19 Let not those who are my deceitful enemies rejoice over me, nor let those who hate me without cause wink with the eye.
20 For they do not speak peace; but they devise deceitful things against the quiet ones of the earth.
21 They also open wide their mouths against me and have said, Aha, aha! Our eyes have seen it.
22 You have seen this, O Jehovah; do not keep silent; O Jehovah, do not be far from me.
23 Stir up Yourself and awake to my justice, to my case, my God and my Lord.
24 Give judgment for me, O Jehovah my God, according to Your righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.
25 Let them not say in their hearts, Aha! Our Soul! Let them not say, We have swallowed him up.
26 Let them be ashamed and abashed together, those who rejoice over my adversity. Let them be clothed with shame and reproach who magnify themselves against me.
27 Let those who delight in my justification shout and rejoice; and let them say continually, Let Jehovah be magnified, who delights in the welfare of His servant.
28 And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness and of Your praise all day long.