Psalm 35:1-28 ERV

[1] LORD, oppose those who oppose me. Fight those who fight me. [2] Pick up your shields, large and small. Get up and help me! [3] Take a spear and javelin and fight those who are chasing me. Tell me, "I will rescue you." [4] Some people are trying to kill me. Disappoint them and make them ashamed. Make them turn and run away. They are planning to hurt me. Defeat and embarrass them. [5] Make them like chaff blown by the wind. Let them be chased by the LORD's angel. [6] Make their road dark and slippery. Let the LORD's angel chase them. [7] I did nothing wrong, but they tried to trap me. For no reason at all, they dug a pit to catch me. [8] So let them fall into their own traps. Let them stumble into their own nets. Let some unknown danger catch them. [9] Then I will rejoice in the LORD. I will be happy when he saves me. [10] With my whole self I will say, " LORD, there is no one like you. You protect the poor from those who are stronger. You save the poor and helpless from those who try to rob them." [11] There are witnesses trying to harm me. They ask me questions that I know nothing about. [12] They pay me back evil for the good I have done. They make me so very sad. [13] When they were sick, I was sad and wore sackcloth. I went without eating to show my sorrow. (May my prayers for them not be answered!) [14] I mourned for them as I would for a friend or a brother. I bowed low with sadness, crying as I would for my own mother. [15] But when I had troubles, they laughed at me. They were not really friends. I was surrounded and attacked by people I didn't even know. [16] They made fun of me, using the worst language. They ground their teeth to show their anger. [17] My Lord, how long will you watch this happen? Save my life from these people who are attacking me like lions and trying to destroy me. [18] I will praise you in the great assembly. I will praise you there among the crowds. [19] Don't let my lying enemies keep on laughing at me. They have no reason to hate me. Surely they will be punished for their secret plans. [20] They have no friendly words for others, but plan ways to hurt those who want to live in peace. [21] They are telling lies about me. They say, "Aha! We know what you did!" [22] LORD, surely you can see what is happening. So don't keep quiet. Lord, don't leave me. [23] Wake up! Get up! My God and my Lord, fight for me, and bring me justice. [24] LORD my God, judge me with your fairness. Don't let those people laugh at me. [25] Don't let them think, "Aha! We got what we wanted!" Don't let them say, "We destroyed him!" [26] Let my enemies be ashamed and embarrassed- all those who were happy about my troubles. Proud of themselves, they treated me as worthless. So let them be covered with shame and disgrace. [27] To those who want the best for me, I wish them joy and happiness. May they always say, "Praise the LORD, who wants what is best for his servant." [28] So, Lord, I will tell people how good you are. I will praise you all day long.