1. Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me;fight against those who fight against me.
2. Take up shield and armour;arise and come to my aid.
3. Brandish spear and javelinagainst those who pursue me.Say to me,‘I am your salvation.’
4. May those who seek my lifebe disgraced and put to shame;may those who plot my ruinbe 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 causeand 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 Lordand 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.’