^{1 Ref} By David. Strive, Jehovah, with my strivers, fight with my fighters,

^{2 Ref} Take hold of shield and buckler, and rise for my help,

^{3 Ref} And draw out spear and lance, To meet my pursuers. Say to my soul, `Thy salvation I `am'.'

^{4 Ref} They are ashamed and blush, those seeking my soul, Turned backward and confounded, Those devising my evil.

^{5 Ref} They are as chaff before wind, And a messenger of Jehovah driving away.

^{6 Ref} Their way is darkness and slipperiness, And a messenger of Jehovah their pursuer.

^{7 Ref} For without cause they hid for me their netpit, Without cause they digged for my soul.

^{8 Ref} Meet him doth desolation -- he knoweth not, And his net that he hid catcheth him, For desolation he falleth into it.

^{9 Ref} And my soul is joyful in Jehovah, It rejoiceth in His salvation.

^{10 Ref} All my bones say, `Jehovah, who is like Thee, Delivering the poor from the stronger than he, And the poor and needy from his plunderer.'

^{11 Ref} Violent witnesses rise up, That which I have not known they ask me.

^{12 Ref} They pay me evil for good, bereaving my soul,

^{13 Ref} And I -- in their sickness my clothing `is' sackcloth, I have humbled with fastings my soul, And my prayer unto my bosom returneth.

^{14 Ref} As `if' a friend, as `if' my brother, I walked habitually, As a mourner for a mother, Mourning I have bowed down.

^{15 Ref} And -- in my halting they have rejoiced, And have been gathered together, Gathered against me were the smiters, And I have not known, They have rent, and they have not ceased;

^{16 Ref} With profane ones, mockers in feasts, Gnashing against me their teeth.

^{17 Ref} Lord, how long dost thou behold? Keep back my soul from their desolations, From young lions my only one.

^{18 Ref} I thank Thee in a great assembly, Among a mighty people I praise Thee.

^{19 Ref} Mine enemies rejoice not over me `with' falsehood, Those hating me without cause wink the eye.

^{20 Ref} For they speak not peace, And against the quiet of the land, Deceitful words they devise,

^{21 Ref} And they enlarge against me their mouth, They said, `Aha, aha, our eye hath seen.'

^{22 Ref} Thou hast seen, O Jehovah, Be not silent, O Lord -- be not far from me,

^{23 Ref} Stir up, and wake to my judgment, My God, and my Lord, to my plea.

^{24 Ref} Judge me according to Thy righteousness, O Jehovah my God, And they do not rejoice over me.

^{25 Ref} They do not say in their heart, `Aha, our desire.' They do not say, `We swallowed him up.'

^{26 Ref} They are ashamed and confounded together, Who are rejoicing at my evil. They put on shame and confusion, Who are magnifying themselves against me.

^{27 Ref} They sing and rejoice, who are desiring my righteousness, And they say continually, `Jehovah is magnified, Who is desiring the peace of His servant.'

^{28 Ref} And my tongue uttereth Thy righteousness, All the day Thy praise!