Hear Us, Shepherd (80)
Con `tend, O LORD, with those_ who con / tend with me.
`Fight against those who_ fight a / gainst~ me.
Take `hold of / shield and buckler,
and `stand up / for my help.
`Draw the spear and block those / who pursue me.
`Tell me, “I am / your salvation.”
Let `those who seek my life be put to shame_ / and disgraced.
Let `those who plot my ruin be turned back_ / and dismayed.
(Ref)
`Let them be as chaff be / fore the wind,
The `angel of the LORD_ driving / them away.
`Let their way be dark and / slippery,
The `angel of the LORD pur / suing them.
For `they have hidden their net in a pit for me_ / without cause.
`Without cause_ they have dug a / pit for me.
`Let destruction come on them_ / unawares.
`Let their net that they have hidden en_ / snare~ them. • `Let them fall into it to_ / their destruction.
`I_ shall be joyful / in the LORD.
`I_ shall rejoice in / his salvation.
`All my bones shall say, “LORD, who is / like~ you, • • `who delivers the_ poor from one too / strong for him;
the `poor_ and the needy from_ one who / robs~ him?”
(Ref)
Un `righteous witnesses_ / rise~ up.
They `ask me things that I know nothing / a~ bout.
`They repay me evil / for~ good,
`to_ the bereaving / of my soul.
But `as for me, when they were sick_, sackcloth / was my clothing.
I `humbled myself with_ / fast~ ing.
`My_ prayer was / genuine.
I `mourned as though for my_ / friend or brother. +
`I bowed down_ / mourn~ ing,
as `one who / mourns his mother.
`But in my ad / versity,
`they rejoiced, and gathered them_ / selves together.
`The attackers gathered them_ selves together against me, and I_ / did not know it.
They `tore at me, and / did not cease.
(Ref)
`Like the profane mockers / at a feast,
they `gnashed their / teeth at me.
`Lord how long will / you look on?
`Rescue me from / their destruction, • • my `precious life_ / from the lions.
`I will give you thanks_ in the / great assembly.
`I will praise_ you among_ / many people.
Do `not let those who are my enemies_ wrongfully rejoice_ / over me;
`neither let those who_ hate me without cause_ wink ma / liciously.
For `they do / not speak peace,
but `they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet / in the land.
They `opened their mouth wide a / gainst~ me.
They `said, “Aha! Aha! Our / eye has seen it!”
(Ref)
`You have / seen it, LORD.
Do `not keep silent. Lord, do not be / far from me.
`Wake up! Rise up to defend me, / my~ God!
My `Lord, con / tend for me!
`Vindicate me, LORD my God, according to your / righteousness.
Do `not let them gloat / over me.
Do `not let them say in their heart, “Aha! That is the / way we want it!”
`Do not let them say_, “We have swallowed / him~ up!”
Let `them be put to shame_ / and confusion
`who rejoice at my ca / lamity.
Let `them be clothed with shame_ / and disgrace
`who exalt themselves_ / over me.
Let `those who favor my_ / righteous cause
`shout for joy_ / and be glad.
`Let them always say_, “May the LORD be / magnified,
`who delights_ in the welfare / of his servant!” +
My `tongue_ shall proclaim your / righteousness
`and your praise_ / all day long.