Psalm 17 & 35

Psalm 17

1Hear me, Lord, my plea is just;

listen to my cry.

Hear my prayer—

it does not rise from deceitful lips.

2Let my vindication come from you;

may your eyes see what is right.

3Though you probe my heart,

though you examine me at night and test me,

you will find that I have planned no evil;

my mouth has not transgressed.

4Though people tried to bribe me,

I have kept myself from the ways of the violent

through what your lips have commanded.

5My steps have held to your paths;

my feet have not stumbled.

6I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;

turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.

7Show me the wonders of your great love,

you who save by your right hand

those who take refuge in you from their foes.

8Keep me as the apple of your eye;

hide me in the shadow of your wings

9from the wicked who are out to destroy me,

from my mortal enemies who surround me.

10They close up their callous hearts,

and their mouths speak with arrogance.

11They have tracked me down, they now surround me,

with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.

12They are like a lion hungry for prey,

like a fierce lion crouching in cover.

13Rise up, Lord, confront them, bring them down;

with your sword rescue me from the wicked.

14By your hand save me from such people, Lord,

from those of this world whose reward is in this life.

May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies;

may their children gorge themselves on it,

and may there be leftovers for their little ones.

15As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face;

when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

Psalm 35

1Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me;

fight against those who fight against me.

2Take up shield and armor;

arise and come to my aid.

3Brandish spear and javelin

against those who pursue me.

Say to me,

“I am your salvation.”

4May those who seek my life

be disgraced and put to shame;

may those who plot my ruin

be turned back in dismay.

5May they be like chaff before the wind,

with the angel of the Lorddriving them away;

6may their path be dark and slippery,

with the angel of the Lordpursuing them.

7Since they hid their net for me without cause

and without cause dug a pit for me,

8may ruin overtake them by surprise—

may the net they hid entangle them,

may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.

9Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord

and delight in his salvation.

10My whole being will exclaim,

“Who is like you, Lord?

You rescue the poor from those too strong for them,

the poor and needy from those who rob them.”

11Ruthless witnesses come forward;

they question me on things I know nothing about.

12They repay me evil for good

and leave me like one bereaved.

13Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth

and humbled myself with fasting.

When my prayers returned to me unanswered,

14I went about mourning

as though for my friend or brother.

I bowed my head in grief

as though weeping for my mother.

15But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee;

assailants gathered against me without my knowledge.

They slandered me without ceasing.

16Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked;

they gnashed their teeth at me.

17How long, Lord, will you look on?

Rescue me from their ravages,

my precious life from these lions.

18I will give you thanks in the great assembly;

among the throngs I will praise you.

19Do not let those gloat over me

who are my enemies without cause;

do not let those who hate me without reason

maliciously wink the eye.

20They do not speak peaceably,

but devise false accusations

against those who live quietly in the land.

21They sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha!

With our own eyes we have seen it.”

22 Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent.

Do not be far from me, Lord.

23Awake, and rise to my defense!

Contend for me, my God and Lord.

24Vindicate me in your righteousness, Lordmy God;

do not let them gloat over me.

25Do not let them think, “Aha, just what we wanted!”

or say, “We have swallowed him up.”

26May all who gloat over my distress

be put to shame and confusion;

may all who exalt themselves over me

be clothed with shame and disgrace.

27May those who delight in my vindication

shout for joy and gladness;

may they always say, “The Lordbe exalted,

who delights in the well-being of his servant.”

28My tongue will proclaim your righteousness,

your praises all day long.