Psalms 35 CEVDCUS06

A Prayer for Protection from Enemies

(A psalm by David.)

1 Fight my enemies, Lord!Attack my attackers!

2 Shield me and help me.

3 Aim your spear at everyonewho hunts me down,but promise to save me.

4 Let all who want to kill mebe disgracedand put to shame.Chase away and confuseall who plan to harm me.

5 Send your angel after themand let them be like strawin the wind.

6 Make them run in the darkon a slippery road,as your angel chases them.

7 I did them no harm,but they hid a netto trap me,and they dug a deep pitto catch and kill me.

8 Surprise them with disaster!Trap them in their own netsand let them fall and rotin the pits they have dug.

9 I will celebrate and be joyfulbecause you, Lord,have saved me.

10 Every bone in my bodywill shout:“No one is like the Lord!”You protect the helplessfrom those in power;you save the poor and needyfrom those who hurt them.

11 Liars accuse me of crimesI know nothing about.

12 They repay evil for good,and I feel all alone.

13 When they were sick,I wore sackclothand went without food.I truly prayed for them,

14 as I would for a friendor a relative.I was in sorrow and mourned,as I would for my mother.

15 I have stumbled,and worthless liarsI don't even knowsurround me and sneer.

16 Worthless people make funand never stop laughing.

17 But all you do is watch!When will you do something?Save me from the attackof those vicious lions.

18 And when your people meet,I will praise youand thank you, Lord,in front of them all.

19 Don't let my brutal enemiesbe glad because of me.They hate me for no reason.Don't let them winkbehind my back.

20 They say hurtful things,and they lie to peoplewho want to live in peace.

21 They are quick to accuse me.They say, “You did it!We saw you ourselves.”

22 You see everything, Lord!Please don't keep silentor stay so far away.

23 Fight to defend me, Lord God,

24 and prove that I am rightby your standards.Don't let them laugh at me

25 or say to each other,“Now we've got what we want!We'll gobble him up!”

26 Disappoint and confuseall who are gladto see me in trouble;disgrace and embarrassmy proud enemies who say to me,“You are nothing!”

27 Let all who want me to winbe happy and joyful.From now on let them say,“The Lord is wonderful!God is glad when all goes wellfor his servant.”

28 Then I will shout all day,“Praise the Lord God!He did what was right.”