1 ([Psalm of David]) O Jehovah, defend me from those who attack me. Fight against those who fight against me.
2 Use your shields, both small and large. Arise to help me.
3 Hold your spear to block the way of those who pursue me. Say to me: I am your salvation.
4 Let those who seek my life be put to shame and disgraced. Let those who plan my downfall be turned back in confusion.
5 Let them be like chaff blown by the wind as the angel of Jehovah chases them.
6 Let their path be dark and slippery as the angel of Jehovah pursues them.
7 They hid their net in a pit for no reason. They dug the pit to trap me for no reason.
8 Surprise them with destruction. Let the net that they hid catch them. Let them fall into their own pit and be destroyed.
9 I will find joy in Jehovah and be joyful about his salvation.
10 All my bones will say: O Jehovah, who can compare with you? You rescue the weak person from the one who is too strong for him and weak and needy people from the one who robs them.
11 Violent witnesses bring charges against me. They ask me things I know nothing about.
12 I am devastated because they pay me back with evil instead of good.
13 But when they were sick, I wore sackcloth. I humbled myself with fasting. My prayer returned unanswered.
14 I walked around as if I were mourning for my friend or my brother. I was bent over as if I were mourning for my mother.
15 Yet, when I stumbled, they rejoiced and gathered together. They gathered together against me. Unknown attackers tore me apart without stopping.
16 With godless and abusive mockers, they grit their teeth at me.
17 O Jehovah, how long will you observe? Rescue me from their attacks. Rescue my precious life from the lions.
18 I will give you thanks in the large congregation. I will praise you in a mighty crowd.
19 Do not let my treacherous enemies gloat over me. Do not let those who hate me for no reason wink maliciously.
20 They do not talk about peace. Instead, they scheme against the peaceful people in the land.
21 They open their mouths against me and say: Aha! Aha! Our own eyes have seen it.
22 Now you see it, O Jehovah. Do not remain silent. O Jehovah, do not be so far away from me.
23 Wake up, and rise to my defense. Plead my case, O my God Jehovah.
24 Judge me by your righteousness, O Jehovah my God. Do not let them gloat.
25 Do not let them say: Aha, just what we wanted! We have swallowed him up.
26 Let those who gloat over my downfall be thoroughly put to shame and confused. Let those who promote themselves at my expense be clothed with shame and disgrace.
27 Let those who are happy when I am declared innocent joyfully sing and rejoice. Let them continually say: Jehovah is great. He is happy when his servant has peace.
28 My tongue will declare your righteousness and your praise all day long.