053) Psalm 35
8.6.8.6.
1 Against all those that strive with me, O Lord, assert my right; With such as war unjustly wage do thou my battles fight.
2 Thy buckler take, and bind thy shield upon thy warlike arm;
Stand up, my God, in my defense, and keep me safe from harm.
3 Bring forth thy spear, and stop their course, that haste my blood to spill;
Say to my soul, "I am thy health, and will preserve thee still."
4 Let them with shame be covered o’er, who my destruction sought; And such as did my harm devise be to confusion brought.
5 Then shall they fly, dispersed like chaff before the driving wind;
God’s vengeful minister of wrath Shall follow close behind.
6 And when through dark and slipp’ry ways they strive his rage to shun, His vengeful ministers of wrath shall goad them as they run.
7 Since, unprovoked by any wrong, they hid their treach’rous snare; And for my harmless Soul a pit did without cause prepare.
8 Surprised by mischiefs unforeseen, by their own arts betrayed; Their feet shall fall into the net which they for me had laid.
9 Whilst my glad soul shall God’s great Name for this deliv’rance bless, And, by his saving health secured, its grateful joy express;
10 My very bones shall say, O Lord, who can compare with thee, Who sett’st the poor and helpless man from strong oppressors free?