Psalm 35 — a plea for protection and help

Psalm 35 expresses a plea for protection, justice and help in distress. Its full text is presented here for reading and prayer. In segulah literature it is also associated with a plea against accusation; reciting it neither guarantees a particular outcome nor replaces action required by life’s circumstances.

Psalm 35

1. Of David. Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me; fight those who fight me.

2. Take hold of shield and buckler, and rise to help me.

3. Draw the spear and bar the way against my pursuers; say to my soul: I am your salvation.

4. Let those seeking my life be ashamed and disgraced; let those plotting my harm retreat in humiliation.

5. Let them be like chaff before the wind, driven by the angel of the LORD.

6. Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.

7. For without cause they hid their net in a pit for me; without cause they dug a trap for my life.

8. Let unforeseen ruin come upon him; let the net he hid catch him, and let him fall into it in destruction.

9. My soul shall rejoice in the LORD and delight in His salvation.

10. All my bones shall say: LORD, who is like You, rescuing the poor from one stronger than they, the poor and needy from their robber?

11. Violent witnesses rise up; they question me about things I do not know.

12. They repay me evil for good, bereaving my soul.

13. But when they were ill I wore sackcloth, humbled my soul with fasting, and my prayer returned to my bosom.

14. I walked as though for a friend or brother; like one mourning a mother, I bowed in grief.

15. But when I stumbled they rejoiced and gathered; attackers gathered against me unknown to me, tearing without ceasing.

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

17. Lord, how long will You look on? Rescue my soul from their ravages, my only life from the lions.

18. I shall thank You in a great assembly; among a mighty people I shall praise You.

19. Let not my false enemies rejoice over me, nor those who hate me without cause wink their eyes.

20. For they do not speak peace; they devise deceitful words against the quiet people of the land.

21. They open their mouths wide against me, saying: Aha, aha! Our eyes have seen it.

22. You have seen, LORD; do not be silent. Lord, do not be far from me.

23. Stir and awake for my judgment, my God and my Lord, for my cause.

24. Judge me according to Your righteousness, LORD my God; do not let them rejoice over me.

25. Let them not say in their hearts: Aha, our wish! Let them not say: We have swallowed him up.

26. Let all who delight in my misfortune be ashamed and humiliated together; let those who exalt themselves over me be clothed in shame and disgrace.

27. Let those who desire my vindication sing and rejoice; let them always say: Great is the LORD, who desires the peace of His servant.

28. My tongue shall speak of Your righteousness and Your praise all day long.