| New International Version (NIV) | New International Version (NIV) |
| 1 Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. | 1 Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. |
| 2 Take up shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid. | 2 Take up shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid. |
| 3 Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, "I am your salvation." | 3 Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, "I am your salvation." |
| 4 May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay. | 4 May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay. |
| 5 May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away; | 5 May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away; |
| 6 may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them. | 6 may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them. |
| 7 Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me, | 7 Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me, |
| 8 may ruin overtake them by surprise-- may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin. | 8 may ruin overtake them by surprise-- may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin. |
| 9 Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation. | 9 Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation. |
| 10 My whole being will exclaim, "Who is like you, O LORD? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them." | 10 My whole being will exclaim, "Who is like you, O LORD? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them." |
| 11 Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about. | 11 Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about. |
| 12 They repay me evil for good and leave my soul forlorn. | 12 They repay me evil for good and leave my soul forlorn. |
| 13 Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered, | 13 Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered, |
| 14 I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother. | 14 I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother. |
| 15 But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; attackers gathered against me when I was unaware. They slandered me without ceasing. | 15 But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; attackers gathered against me when I was unaware. They slandered me without ceasing. |
| 16 Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked; they gnashed their teeth at me. | 16 Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked; they gnashed their teeth at me. |
| 17 O Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my life from their ravages, my precious life from these lions. | 17 O Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my life from their ravages, my precious life from these lions. |
| 18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you. | 18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you. |
| 19 Let not those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; let not those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye. | 19 Let not those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; let not those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye. |
| 20 They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land. | 20 They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land. |
| 21 They gape at me and say, "Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it." | 21 They gape at me and say, "Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it." |
| 22 O LORD, you have seen this; be not silent. Do not be far from me, O Lord. | 22 O LORD, you have seen this; be not silent. Do not be far from me, O Lord. |
| 23 Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord. | 23 Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord. |
| 24 Vindicate me in your righteousness, O LORD my God; do not let them gloat over me. | 24 Vindicate me in your righteousness, O LORD my God; do not let them gloat over me. |
| 25 Do not let them think, "Aha, just what we wanted!" or say, "We have swallowed him up." | 25 Do not let them think, "Aha, just what we wanted!" or say, "We have swallowed him up." |
| 26 May 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. | 26 May 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. |
| 27 May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, "The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant." | 27 May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, "The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant." |
| 28 My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long. | 28 My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long. |
| Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) | Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |