Psalms 35:14-1964 bbe — My behaviour was as if it had been my friend or my brother: I was bent low in grief like one whose mother is dead. But…

“I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother. But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not: With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth. Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions. I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people. Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause. For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land. Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it. This thou hast seen, O Lord: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me. Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord. Judge me, O Lord my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me. Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up. Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me. Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long. ”

“I mourned for them as I would for a friend or my brother. I bowed down in sorrow as if I were mourning for my mother. But when I stumbled, they rejoiced and gathered together; they gathered together to ambush me. They tore at me without stopping to rest. When I tripped, they taunted me relentlessly, and tried to bite me. O Lord, how long are you going to watch this? Rescue me from their destructive attacks; guard my life from the young lions! Then I will give you thanks in the great assembly; I will praise you before a large crowd of people! Do not let those who are my enemies for no reason gloat over me! Do not let those who hate me without cause carry out their wicked schemes! For they do not try to make peace with others, but plan ways to deceive those who live peacefully in the land. They are ready to devour me; they say,“Aha! Aha! We’ve got you!” But you take notice, LORD; do not be silent! O Lord, do not remain far away from me! Rouse yourself, wake up and vindicate me! My God and Lord, defend my just cause! Vindicate me by your justice, O LORD my God! Do not let them gloat over me! Do not let them say to themselves,“Aha! We have what we wanted!” Do not let them say,“We have devoured him!” May those who rejoice in my troubles be totally embarrassed and ashamed! May those who arrogantly taunt me be covered with shame and humiliation! May those who desire my vindication shout for joy and rejoice! May they continually say,“May the LORD be praised, for he wants his servant to be secure.” Then I will tell others about your justice, and praise you all day long.”