35  A song by David.

1 Yahweh, work against those who work against me.

≈ Fight against those who fight against me.

2 Take hold of your shield and your arm protector,

and come to help me.

3 Use your spear and battle ax against those who chase me.

Tell my soul, “I’m here to save you.”

4 May those who seek my life be shamed and dishonoured.

≈ Cause those who plan to harm me to be turned back and confused.

5 May they become like chaff blown around by the wind,

as Yahweh’s messenger drives them away.

6 May their path be dark and slippery,

as Yahweh’s messenger chases after them.

7 They set their net for me for no good reason.

≈ Without cause they dug a pit to take my life.

8 Let destruction overtake them by surprise.

Let their own net that they set, catch them—

let them fall to their destruction in it.

9 But I’ll be happy about Yahweh

and celebrate because he saves me.

10 All my bones will say, “Yahweh, who is like you,

who rescues the oppressed people from those who are too strong for them

and the poor and needy from those who try to rob them?”

11 Violent accusers come out of the woodwork

asking me about things that I know nothing about.

12 They repay me with evil for good—

I feel like I’m dying on the inside.

13 When they were sick, I wore sackcloth

as I fasted for them and prayed with my head bowed on my chest.

14 I went about in grief as if it was my brother.

≈ I bowed my head in mourning as if it was my mother.

15 But any time that I stumbled, they were pleased and gathered together.

They gathered together against me without me knowing.

They tore at me without stopping.

16 With no respect at all, they mocked me.

They grind their teeth at me in rage.

17 My master, how much longer will you just look on for?

Rescue my soul from their destructive attacks—

≈ my life from the lions.

18 Then I’ll thank you when everyone’s gathered together.

≈ I’ll praise you in front of many people.

19 Don’t let my deceitful enemies celebrate over my loses.

Don’t let those who hate me for no reason wink at each other,

20 because they don’t talk peaceably,

but they devise deceitful stories against those in our land who live in peace.

21 They open their mouths wide against me,

having said, “Aha, Aha, our own eyes have seen it.”

22 You’ve seen it, Yahweh, don’t be silent.

≈ My master, don’t be distant from me.

23 Arouse yourself and awake to my defence.

≈ My god and my master, defend my cause.

24 Yahweh, my god, vindicate me because you always do what is right.

Don’t let my enemies celebrate over my defeat.

25 Don’t let them say to themselves, “Aha, we got what we wanted.”

≈ Don’t let them say, “We’ve obliterated him.”

26 Let anyone who’s happy at my distress be put to shame and become confused.

≈ Let those who think they’re better than me be clothed with shame and dishonour.

27 Let those who desire my vindication shout happily and be glad.

May they continually say, “Yahweh be praised—

he who gladly ensues the welfare of his servant.”

28 Then I’ll tell others about your justice

and praise you all day long.