Psalmorum 35
1 Ipsi David. Judica, Domine, nocentes me; expugna impugnantes me.
Of David. Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me, do battle with those who do battle with me.
2 Apprehende arma et scutum, et exsurge in adjutorium mihi.
Grasp shield and buckler, and rise up as my help.
3 Effunde frameam, et conclude adversus eos qui persequuntur me; dic animæ meæ: Salus tua ego sum.
Draw spear and battle-axe, confront those who pursue me. Assure me that you will help me.
4 Confundantur et revereantur quærentes animam meam; avertantur retrorsum et confundantur cogitantes mihi mala.
Dishonour and shame be on those who are seeking my life! Defeat and confusion on those who are planning my hurt!
5 Fiant tamquam pulvis ante faciem venti, et angelus Domini coarctans eos.
As chaff before wind may they be, with the Lord’s angel pursuing them.
6 Fiat via illorum tenebræ et lubricum, et angelus Domini persequens eos.
Slippery and dark be their way, with his angel thrusting them on.
7 Quoniam gratis absconderunt mihi interitum laquei sui; supervacue exprobraverunt animam meam.
For they wantonly hid their net for me, and dug a pit to destroy me.
8 Veniat illi laqueus quem ignorat, et captio quam abscondit apprehendat eum, et in laqueum cadat in ipsum.
Upon them may ruin come unawares; may the net which they hid catch themselves, and into the pit may they fall.
9 Anima autem mea exsultabit in Domino, et delectabitur super salutari suo.
Then I will exult in the Lord, and be joyful because of his help;
10 Omnia ossa mea dicent: Domine, quis similis tibi? eripiens inopem de manu fortiorum ejus; egenum et pauperem a diripientibus eum.
and all my being will say, ‘Who, O Lord, is like you, who save the helpless from those too strong for them, the poor and the helpless from those who despoil them?’
11 Surgentes testes iniqui, quæ ignorabam interrogabant me.
Violent witnesses rise, and ask of me things that I know not.
12 Retribuebant mihi mala pro bonis, sterilitatem animæ meæ.
Evil for good they requite me, leaving me inwardly comfortless.
13 Ego autem, cum mihi molesti essent, induebar cilicio; humiliabam in jejunio animam meam, et oratio mea in sinu meo convertetur.
But when they were sick, I put on sackcloth, and chastened myself with fasting. I prayed with head bowed low,
14 Quasi proximum et quasi fratrem nostrum sic complacebam; quasi lugens et contristatus sic humiliabar.
as if for my friend or my brother. I went about bowed and in mourning, as one who laments his mother.
15 Et adversum me lætati sunt, et convenerunt; congregata sunt super me flagella, et ignoravi.
When I stumbled, they gleefully gathered, strangers gathered around me, and tore at me without ceasing,
16 Dissipati sunt, nec compuncti; tentaverunt me, subsannaverunt me subsannatione; frenduerunt super me dentibus suis.
impiously mocking and mocking, bearing their teeth at me.
17 Domine, quando respicies? Restitue animam meam a malignitate eorum; a leonibus unicam meam.
How long, Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their roaring, my precious life from the lions.
18 Confitebor tibi in ecclesia magna; in populo gravi laudabo te.
I will then give you thanks in the great congregation, and praise you before many people.
19 Non supergaudeant mihi qui adversantur mihi inique, qui oderunt me gratis, et annuunt oculis.
Suffer not those to rejoice over me who are falsely my foes, suffer not those who without cause abhor me to wink with the eye.
20 Quoniam mihi quidem pacifice loquebantur; et in iracundia terræ loquentes, dolos cogitabant.
For it is not peace that they speak of those who are quiet in the land; but treacherous charges they plot.
21 Et dilataverunt super me os suum; dixerunt: Euge, euge! viderunt oculi nostri.
With wide open mouths they shout, ‘Hurrah! Hurrah! With our own eyes we saw it.’
22 Vidisti, Domine: ne sileas; Domine, ne discedas a me.
But you have seen, too, O Lord, keep not silence, O Lord, be not far from me.
23 Exsurge et intende judicio meo, Deus meus; et Dominus meus, in causam meam.
Bestir you, awake, for my right my God, my Lord, for my cause.
24 Judica me secundum justitiam tuam, Domine Deus meus, et non supergaudeant mihi.
You are just, Lord: win for me justice, let them not rejoice over me,
25 Non dicant in cordibus suis: Euge, euge, animæ nostræ; nec dicant: Devoravimus eum.
inwardly saying, ‘Hurrah! The desire of our hearts at last! Now we have swallowed him up.’
26 Erubescant et revereantur simul qui gratulantur malis meis; induantur confusione et reverentia qui magna loquuntur super me.
Shame and confusion together on those who rejoice at my hurt! Clothed with shame and dishonour be those who are haughty to me!
27 Exsultent et lætentur qui volunt justitiam meam; et dicant semper: Magnificetur Dominus, qui volunt pacem servi ejus.
Let such as delight in my cause ring out their gladness, and say evermore, ‘Great is the Lord whose delight is the well-being of his servant.’
28 Et lingua mea meditabitur justitiam tuam; tota die laudem tuam.
Then my tongue will tell of your justice, and all the day long of your praise.
