Psalms 35 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

Fight for me, Yahweh, against those who fight me. Wage war against those who wage war on me.

Pick up your shield and armor — rise up and come to my defense.

Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers. Tell my soul, "I am your rescue."

Let those who hunt my life be humiliated and disgraced. Let those who plot my destruction retreat in shame.

Let them be like dust in the wind, with the angel of Yahweh driving them away.

Let their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of Yahweh pursuing them.

They hid their net for me without cause, without reason they dug a pit to trap me.

Let ruin come on them by surprise — let the very net they hid catch them instead. Let them fall into their own destruction.

Then my whole being will celebrate in Yahweh, finding deep joy in his rescue.

Every bone in my body will say, "Yahweh, who is like you? You rescue the weak from those too strong for them, the poor and vulnerable from those who exploit them."

Hostile witnesses stand up against me, accusing me of things I know nothing about.

They pay me back evil for good — it tears my life apart.

But when they were sick, I wore sackcloth. I starved myself in prayer for them. My prayers kept returning to my own chest —

as if they were my friend or my brother. I walked around bent low in grief, like someone mourning their own mother.

But when I stumbled, they gathered in celebration. Attackers I didn't even know assembled against me, tearing into me without stopping.

Like godless mockers at a feast, they gnashed their teeth at me.

How long, my Lord, will you just watch? Rescue my life from their devastation, my one and only life from these lions.

I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among a massive crowd I will praise you.

Don't let my treacherous enemies gloat over me. Don't let those who hate me for no reason exchange knowing looks behind my back.

They don't speak of peace — they invent lies against the quiet ones of the land.

They open their mouths wide against me and say, "Ha! We saw it with our own eyes!"

You've seen this, Yahweh. Don't stay silent. My Lord, don't stay far from me.

Wake up! Rise to my defense! My God and my Lord, fight for my cause!

Vindicate me by your justice, Yahweh my God, and don't let them gloat over me.

Don't let them think, "Yes! This is what we wanted!" Don't let them say, "We swallowed him whole!"

Let those who celebrate my disaster be completely humiliated and disgraced. Let those who elevate themselves over me be clothed in shame and dishonor.

But let those who want things made right for me shout for joy and celebrate! Let them always say, "Yahweh is great — he delights in the well-being of the one who serves him."

Then my tongue will speak of your justice and praise you all day long.