1Contend, Yahweh, with those who contend with me. Fight against those who fight against me.
2Grab your shield, large and small, and stand up to help me.
3Wave your spear and block those who are chasing me. Tell me, “I am your salvation.”
4May those who seek to kill me be disappointed and disgraced. May those who plan my ruin be turned back and confused.
5May they be like straw blown by the wind, with Yahweh’s angel chasing them.
6May their path be dark and slippery, with Yahweh’s angel pursuing them.
7For without reason, they set a trap for me in a pit. Without reason, they dug a pit for me.
8May disaster strike them unexpectedly. May the trap they hid catch them. May they fall into that disaster.
9My spirit will be joyful in Yahweh. It will celebrate his rescue.
10Every part of me will say, "Yahweh, who is like you? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them; yes, the poor and needy from those who rob them."
11Dishonest witnesses come forward. They question me about things I know nothing about.
12They repay me with evil instead of good, causing me deep sorrow.
13But when they were sick, I wore burlap. I disciplined myself by fasting. My prayer returned to me unanswered.
14I acted as if it were my friend or brother. I mourned with my head bowed, like someone grieving for their mother.
15But when I was in trouble, they celebrated and ganged up on me. The attackers gathered against me, and I didn't even know it. They tore into me without stopping.
16Like unholy jesters at feasts, they ground their teeth at me.
17Lord, how long will you just watch? Save me from their destruction, rescue my precious life from these lions.
18I will thank you in the great assembly. I will praise you among many people.
19Don't let my unfair enemies gloat over me; don't let those who hate me without reason wink with satisfaction.
20For their words are not peaceful; instead, they invent deceptive accusations against those who live quietly in the land.
21Yes, they opened their mouths wide against me, saying, "Aha! Aha! We saw it with our own eyes!"
22You have seen it, Yahweh. Don't stay silent. Lord, don't be far from me.
23Wake up! Rise up to defend me, my God! My Lord, argue my case!
24Declare me innocent, Yahweh my God, according to your goodness. Don't let them triumph over me.
25Don't let them say to themselves, "Aha! This is just what we wanted!" Don't let them say, "We have completely destroyed him!"
26Let those who rejoice in my misfortune be disappointed and confused together. Let those who consider themselves superior to me be covered with shame and disgrace.
27Let those who support my just cause shout for joy and be glad. Yes, let them always say, "May Yahweh be honored, who takes pleasure in the well-being of his servant!"
28My tongue will speak of your goodness and your praise all day long.