Contend, Lord, with those who contend with your Church and this nation; fight against those who fight against them. Arise and come to our aid; may those who plot ruin be turned back in dismay. Then our souls will rejoice and proclaim you as the Lord of our salvation. You rescue the poor and needy from those who rob them. Do not let those who gloat over this nation's or your Church's sins go unpunished; and do not let them falsely accuse your people. Help us to willingly confess sins of commission and commission, but then joyfully claim your forgiveness and forgetfulness. In these dark times, bring into your Light of Truth all things in civil and church government that are evil and corrupt. May we proclaim your righteousness and your praise all day long. Alleluia and Amen!
Psalm 35
Of David.
1
Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me.
2
Take up shield and armor;
arise and come to my aid.
3
Brandish spear and javelin
against those who pursue me.
Say to me,
“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.
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.
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.
9
Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord
and delight in his salvation.
10
My whole being will exclaim,
“Who is like you, 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.
12
They repay me evil for good
and leave me like one bereaved.
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.
15
But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee;
assailants gathered against me without my knowledge.
They slandered me without ceasing.
16
Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked;
they gnashed their teeth at me.
17
How long, Lord, will you look on?
Rescue me from their ravages,
my precious life from these lions.
18
I will give you thanks in the great assembly;
among the throngs I will praise you.
19
Do not let those gloat over me
who are my enemies without cause;
do not let 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.
21
They sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha!
With our own eyes we have seen it.”
22
Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent.
Do not be far from me, Lord.
23
Awake, and rise to my defense!
Contend for me, my God and Lord.
24
Vindicate me in your righteousness, 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.”
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.”
28
My tongue will proclaim your righteousness,
your praises all day long.
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