Psalm 35 Friday Readings 1
Attack, Yahweh, those who attack me; * combat those who combat me.
Grip your shield and guard, * and rise to my battle.
Ready your spear and javelin * to confront my pursuers.
Say to my soul, * “I am your victory.”
Let them be humbled and disgraced * who seek my life.
Let them be turned back in shame * who plan my defeat.
Let them be like chaff before the wind, * with the angel of Yahweh driving them.
Let their destiny be Darkness and Destruction * with the angel of Yahweh pursuing them.
For they secretly hid a pit for me; * with their net they stalked my life.
Let the Pit catch him off guard, * and the net he hid trap him; * into the pit let him fall.
But my soul shall rejoice in Yahweh, * and exult in his victory.
All my bones shall say, * “Yahweh, who is like you?
You rescue the weak from one too strong for him, * the helpless poor from the robber.”
Malicious witnesses testify against me; * those I don't know interrogate me.
They repay me evil for good, * ravaging my soul.
But as for me—when they played the pipe, * my garment was sackcloth.
I restrained myself through fasting, * while my prayer rested on my chest, * like a friend, like a brother to me.
I went about like one grieving his mother; * I was bent over in mourning.
When I stumbled they gathered with glee; * boxers gathered around me,
and those I did not know tore me to pieces, * and would not stop slandering me.
The mockers around me * ground their teeth at me.
How long, Lord, will you idly watch? * Rescue my life from their pits, * my face from the young lions.
I will thank you in the great assembly; * in the mighty throng I will praise you.
Let not my treacherous foes rejoice over me, * my stealthy enemies who wink their eye.
For they do not speak of peace, * but attack the oppressed in the land.
They conceive treacherous plans * and open wide their mouth against me,
saying, “Aha, Aha! * Our own eye has seen him.”
Look, Yahweh, be not silent; * Lord, be not far from me.
Rouse yourself and awake to my defense, * my God and my Lord, to my combat.
Defend me in your justice, Yahweh; * my God, let them not laugh at me
or boast in their heart, * “Ha, we have him in our mouth,” * or boast “We have swallowed him.”
Let all be shamed and disgraced * who rejoice at my misfortune.
Let them be clothed with shame and infamy * who spin stories about me.
May they shout for joy and be glad, * who desire my vindication;
and may they ever say, * “Yahweh is great, * who desires the well-being of his servant.”
Then my tongue will proclaim your justice, * all the day long your praise.
End of Fri Readings 1 | |||