A Psalm of David. 8,6,8,6 ^1Plead, Lord, with those that plead; and fight with those that fight with me. ^2Of shield and buckler take thou hold, stand up mine help to be. ^3Draw also out the spear, and do against them stop the way That me pursue: unto my soul, I'm thy salvation, say. ^4Let them confounded be and sham'd that for my soul have sought: Who plot my hurt turn'd back be they, and to confusion brought. ^5Let them be like unto the chaff that flies before the wind; And let the angel of the Lord pursue them hard behind. ^6With darkness cover thou their way, and let it slipp'ry prove; And let the angel of the Lord pursue them from above. ^7For without cause have they for me their net hid in a pit, They also have without a cause for my soul digged it. ^8Let ruin seize him unawares; his net he hid withal Himself let catch; and in the same destruction let him fall. ^9My soul in God shall joy; and glad in his salvation be: ^10And all my bones shall say, O Lord, who is like unto thee, Which dost the poor set free from him that is for him too strong; The poor and needy from the man that spoils and does him wrong? ^11False witnesses rose; to my charge things I not knew they laid. ^12They, to the spoiling of my soul, me ill for good repaid. ^13But as for me, when they were sick, in sackcloth sad I mourn'd: My humbled soul did fast, my pray'r into my bosom turn'd. ^14Myself I did behave as he had been my friend or brother; I heavily bow'd down, as one that mourneth for his mother. ^15But in my trouble they rejoic'd, gath'ring themselves together; Yea, abjects vile together did themselves against me gather: I knew it not; they did me tear, and quiet would not be. ^16With mocking hypocrites, at feasts they gnash'd their teeth at me. ^17How long, Lord, look'st thou on? from those destructions they intend Rescue my soul, from lions young my darling do defend. ^18I will give thanks to thee, O Lord, within th' assembly great; And where much people gather'd are thy praises forth will set. ^19Let not my wrongful enemies proudly rejoice o'er me; Nor who me hate without a cause, let them wink with the eye. ^20For peace they do not speak at all; but crafty plots prepare Against all those within the land that meek and quiet are. ^21With mouths set wide, they gainst me said, Ha, ha! our eye doth see. ^22Lord, thou hast seen, hold not thy peace; Lord, be not far from me. ^23Stir up thyself; wake, that thou may'st judgment to me afford, Ev'n to my cause, O thou that art my only God and Lord. ^24O Lord my God, do thou me judge after thy righteousness; And let them not their joy gainst me triumphantly express: ^25Nor let them say within their hearts, Ah, we would have it thus; Nor suffer them to say, that he is swallow'd up by us. ^26Sham'd and confounded be they all that at my hurt are glad; Let those against me that do boast with shame and scorn be clad. ^27Let them that love my righteous cause be glad, shout, and not cease To say, The Lord be magnify'd, who loves his servant's peace. ^28Thy righteousness shall also be declared by my tongue; The praises that belong to thee speak shall it all day long. |