David's Prayer

Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; Fight against those who fight against me.

Take hold of buckler and shield, And rise up for my help.

Draw also the spear and the battle-axe to meet those who pursue me; Say to my soul, "I am your salvation."

Let those be ashamed and dishonored who seek my life; Let those be turned back and humiliated who devise evil against me.

For without cause they hid their net for me; Without cause they dug a pit for my soul.

Malicious witnesses rise up; They ask me of things that I do not know.

They repay me evil for good, To the bereavement of my soul.

But at my stumbling they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together; The smiters whom I did not know gathered together against me, They slandered me without ceasing.

Like godless jesters at a feast, They gnashed at me with their teeth.

For they do not speak peace, But they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.

Let them be like chaff before the wind, With the angel of the LORD driving them on.

Let their way be dark and slippery, With the angel of the LORD pursuing them.

Let destruction come upon him unawares; And let the net which he hid catch himself; Into that very destruction let him fall.