1 Plead my case, O LORD, against those who contend with me; fight those who fight me.
2 Grasp shield and buckler, and stand up as my help.
3 Draw out the spear and bar the way against my pursuers; say to my soul, "I am your salvation."
4 May those who seek my soul be shamed and humiliated; may those who plan my harm be driven back and disgraced.
5 May they be like chaff in front of the wind, with the angel of the LORD pushing them.
6 May their way be darkness and slick ground, with the angel of the LORD chasing them.
7 For for no reason they hid for me the pit of their net; for no reason they dug it for my soul.
8 Let destruction come on him when he does not know it, and let the net he hid catch him; into that destruction let him fall.
9 And my soul will rejoice in the LORD; it will delight in his salvation.
10 All my bones will say, "O LORD, who is like you, who rescues the afflicted from one stronger than he, the afflicted and the needy from the one who plunders him?"
11 Violent witnesses stand up; they question me about things I do not know.
12 They pay me back evil in place of good; bereavement for my soul.
13 As for me, when they were ill, sackcloth was my clothing; I afflicted my soul with fasting, and my prayer kept returning to my chest.
14 As for a friend, as for a brother of mine, I walked about; like one mourning a mother I bowed low, dressed in dark clothes.
15 But when I stumbled they were glad and gathered; the smiters gathered against me, people I did not know; they tore and would not be silent.
16 Among profane ones who mock for a bite of bread, they ground their teeth against me.
17 Lord, how long will you watch? Bring my soul back from their ravages, my only life from the young lions.
18 I will thank you in the great assembly; among a numerous people I will praise you.
19 Let not my lying enemies rejoice over me; let not those who hate me for no reason narrow their eyes.
20 For they do not speak of peace, and against the quiet ones of the land they plot deceitful words.
21 They have opened their mouth wide against me; they have said, "Aha! Aha! Our eye has seen it."
22 You have seen, O LORD; do not keep silent; Lord, do not stay far from me.
23 Rouse yourself, wake up to my judgment, my God and my Lord, to my cause.
24 Judge me according to your righteousness, O LORD my God, and let them not rejoice over me.
25 Let them not say in their heart, "Aha, just as we wished!" Let them not say, "We have devoured him."
26 Let them be ashamed and humiliated together who rejoice at my harm; let them be dressed in shame and dishonor who make themselves great against me.
27 Let them sing for joy and be glad who take pleasure in my righteousness, and let them say always, "May the LORD be magnified, who takes pleasure in the peace of his servant."
28 And my tongue will murmur your righteousness, your praise all day long.