35 1-3 Harass these hecklers, God,
    punch these bullies in the nose.
Grab a weapon, anything at hand;
    stand up for me!
Get ready to throw the spear, aim the javelin,
    at the people who are out to get me.
Reassure me; let me hear you say,
    “I’ll save you.”

4-8 When those thugs try to knife me in the back,
    make them look foolish.
Frustrate all those
    who are plotting my downfall.
Make them like cinders in a high wind,
    with God’s angel working the bellows.
Make their road lightless and mud-slick,
    with God’s angel on their tails.
Out of sheer cussedness they set a trap to catch me;
    for no good reason they dug a ditch to stop me.
Surprise them with your ambush—
    catch them in the very trap they set,
    the disaster they planned for me.

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Take up shield(A) and armor;
    arise(B) and come to my aid.(C)
Brandish spear(D) and javelin[a](E)
    against those who pursue me.
Say to me,
    “I am your salvation.(F)

May those who seek my life(G)
    be disgraced(H) and put to shame;(I)
may those who plot my ruin
    be turned back(J) in dismay.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 35:3 Or and block the way