1Take up my case, O LORD, against those who fight with me. Fight against those who fight against me.
2Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up to help me.
3Draw out the spear too, and block the way against those who chase me. Say to my soul, "I am your salvation."
4Let those who seek my life be confused and put to shame. Let those who plan to hurt me be turned back and left in confusion.
5Let them be like chaff before the wind, and let the angel of the LORD drive them away.
6Let their way be dark and slippery, and let the angel of the LORD chase them.
7For without cause they hid their net for me in a pit. Without cause they dug it for my life.
8Let ruin come on him when he does not expect it. Let the net he hid catch him instead. Let him fall into that very ruin.
9And my soul will be joyful in the LORD. It will rejoice in his salvation.
10All my bones will say, "LORD, who is like you? You rescue the poor from the one too strong for him; yes, the poor and the needy from the one who robs him."
11False witnesses stood up. They accused me of things I knew nothing about.
12They paid me back evil for good, so that my soul was left bare.
13But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth. I humbled my soul with fasting, and my prayer came back to my own heart.
14I acted as though he were my friend or my brother. I bowed down in grief, like one who mourns for his mother.
15But when I was in trouble they were glad, and they gathered together. Yes, worthless men gathered together against me, and I did not know it. They tore at me and would not stop.
16With false mockers at feasts, they ground their teeth at me.
17Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my soul from their destroying, my only life from the lions.
18I will give you thanks in the great assembly. I will praise you among many people.
19Do not let my enemies, who are wrong, rejoice over me. Do not let those who hate me without a cause wink with the eye.
20For they do not speak peace. They plan lies against those who are quiet in the land.
21Yes, they opened their mouth wide against me and said, "Aha, aha, our eye has seen it."
22You have seen this, O LORD. Do not keep silent. O Lord, do not be far from me.
23Stir yourself up, and wake up to give me justice, to take up my case, my God and my Lord.
24Judge me, O LORD my God, according to your righteousness, and do not let them rejoice over me.
25Do not let them say in their hearts, "Aha, this is what we wanted." Do not let them say, "We have swallowed him up."
26Let those who are glad at my hurt be ashamed and confused together. Let those who boast against me be clothed with shame and dishonour.
27Let those who want to see me cleared shout for joy and be glad. Yes, let them say again and again, "Let the LORD be praised as great. He takes pleasure in the well-being of his servant."
28And my tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praise all day long.