Fight for Me, My Father

Of David.

Attacked by men he once fasted and wore mourning clothes for when they were sick, David asks his Father to take up shield and spear himself. The wound is the betrayal: his kindness was repaid with gloating the moment he stumbled.

Chapter 35.

Contend, my Father, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.

Take hold of shield and small shield, and rise to help me. Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers; say to my soul, "I am your salvation."

Let them be ashamed and disgraced who seek my life; let them be turned back and humiliated who plot my harm. Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the messenger of our Father driving them on. Let their way be dark and slippery, with the messenger of our Father pursuing them.

For without cause they hid their net for me; without cause they dug a pit for my life. Let ruin come upon him without warning; let the net he hid catch him; into that very ruin let him fall.

Then my soul will rejoice in my Father; it will exult in his salvation. All my bones will say, "My Father, who is like you, rescuing the poor from one too strong for him, the poor and needy from the one who robs him?"

Malicious witnesses rise up; they question me about things I do not know. They repay me evil for good; my soul is left desolate. But I, when they were sick, wore mourning clothes; I humbled myself with fasting, and my prayer kept returning to my own heart. ^a I went about as though grieving for my friend or my brother; I was bowed down in mourning, like one weeping for his mother. But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered together; attackers I did not know gathered against me, tearing at me without ceasing. Like godless mockers at a feast, they gnashed their teeth at me.

My Sovereign Father, how long will you look on? Rescue my soul from their ravages, my only life from the lions. I will thank you in the great assembly; among a mighty throng I will praise you. Let not my deceitful enemies gloat over me, nor those who hate me without cause wink the eye. ^b For they do not speak peace, but against the quiet ones of the land they devise deceitful schemes. They open their mouths wide against me; they say, "Aha! Aha! Our own eyes have seen it!"

You have seen it, my Father; do not be silent. My Sovereign Father, do not be far from me. Rouse yourself and awake to my vindication, to my cause, my Sovereign Father! Vindicate me, my Father, according to your righteousness, and do not let them gloat over me. Let them not say in their hearts, "Aha, just what we wanted!" Let them not say, "We have swallowed him up."

Let them be ashamed and humiliated together who rejoice at my calamity; let them be clothed with shame and disgrace who exalt themselves over me. Let those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and be glad; let them always say, "Great is our Father, who delights in the well-being of his servant!"

Then my tongue will tell of your righteousness, of your praise all day long.

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Psalms 35

Fight for Me, My Father

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