PLEAD thou my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me, * and fight thou against them that fight against me.
 
Lay hand upon the shield and buckler, * and stand up to help me.
 
Bring forth the spear, and stop the way against them that pursue me: * say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.
 
Let them be confounded, and put to shame, that seek after my soul; * let them be turned back, and brought to confusion, that imagine mischief for me.
 
Let them be as the dust before the wind, * and the angel of the LORD scattering them.
 
Let their way be dark and slippery, * and let the angel of the LORD pursue them.
 
For they have privily laid their net to destroy me without a cause; * yea, even without a cause have they made a pit for my soul.
 
Let a sudden destruction come upon him unawares, and his net that he hath laid privily catch himself; * that he may fall into his own mischief.
 
And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD; * it shall rejoice in his salvation.
 
All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, who deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him; * yea, the poor, and him that is in misery, from him that spoileth him?
 
False witnesses did rise up: * they laid to my charge things that I knew not.
 
They rewarded me evil for good, * to the great discomfort of my soul.
 
Nevertheless, when they were sick, I put on sackcloth, and humbled my soul with fasting; * and my prayer shall turn into mine own bosom.
 
I behaved myself as though it had been my friend or my brother; * I went heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.
 
But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together; * yea, the very abjects came together against me unawares, making mouths at me, and ceased not.
 
With the flatterers were busy mockers, * who gnashed upon me with their teeth.
 
Lord, how long wilt thou look upon this? * O deliver my soul from the calamities which they bring on me, and my darling from the lions.
 
So will I give thee thanks in the great congregation; * I will praise thee among much people.
 
O let not them that are mine enemies triumph over me ungodly; * neither let them wink with their eyes, that hate me without a cause.
 
And why? their communing is not for peace; * but they imagine deceitful words against them that are quiet in the land.
 
They gaped upon me with their mouths, and said, * Fie on thee! fie on thee! we saw it with our eyes.
 
This thou hast seen, O LORD; * hold not thy tongue then; go not far from me, O Lord.
 
Awake, and stand up to judge my quarrel; * avenge thou my cause, my God and my Lord.
 
Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; * and let them not triumph over me.
 
Let them not say in their hearts, There! there! so would we have it; * neither let them say, We have devoured him.
 
Let them be put to confusion and shame together, that rejoice at my trouble; * let them be clothed with rebuke and dishonour, that boast themselves against me.
 
Let them be glad and rejoice, that favour my righteous dealing; * yea, let them say alway, Blessed be the LORD, who hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
 
And as for my tongue, it shall be talking of thy righteousness, * and of thy praise, all the day long.

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