Psalms, 34
David, in the person of Christ, prayeth against his persecutors: prophetically foreshewing the punishments that shall fall upon them.
Judica, Domine, nocentes me.
[1] For David himself. Judge thou, O Lord, them that wrong me: overthrow them that fight against me. •
[2] Take hold of arms and shield: and rise up to help me. •
[3] Bring out the sword, and shut up the way against them that persecute me: say to my soul: I am thy salvation. •
[4] Let them be confounded and ashamed that seek after my soul. Let them be turned back and be confounded that devise evil against me. •
[5] Let them become as dust before the wind: and let the angel of the Lord straiten them. •
[6] Let their way become dark and slippery; and let the angel of the Lord pursue them. •
[7] For without cause they have hidden their net for me unto destruction: without cause they have upbraided my soul. •
[8] Let the snare which he knoweth not come upon him: and let the net which he hath hidden catch him: and into that very snare let them fall. •
[9] But my soul shall rejoice in the Lord; and shall be delighted in his salvation. •
[10] All my bones shall say: Lord, who is like to thee? Who deliverest the poor from the hand of them that are stronger than he; the needy and the poor from them that strip him. •
[11] Unjust witnesses rising up have asked me things I knew not. •
[12] They repaid me evil for good: to the depriving me of my soul. •
[13] But as for me, when they were troublesome to me, I was clothed with haircloth. I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer shall be turned into my bosom. •
[14] As a neighbour and as an own brother, so did I please: as one mourning and sorrowful so was I humbled. •
[15] But they rejoiced against me, and came together: scourges were gathered together upon me, and I knew not. •
[16] They were separated, and repented not: they tempted me, they scoffed at me with scorn: they gnashed upon me with their teeth. •
[17] Lord, when wilt thou look upon me? rescue thou my soul from their malice: my only one from the lions. •
[18] I will give thanks to thee in a great church; I will praise thee in a strong people. •
[19] Let not them that are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: who have hated me without cause, and wink with the eyes. •
[20] For they spoke indeed peaceably to me; and speaking in the anger of the earth they devised guile. •
[21] And they opened their mouth wide against me; they said: Well done, well done, our eyes have seen it. •
[22] Thou hast seen, O Lord, be not thou silent: O Lord, depart not from me. •
[23] Arise, and be attentive to my judgment: to my cause, my God, and my Lord. •
[24] Judge me, O Lord my God according to thy justice, and let them not rejoice over me. •
[25] Let them not say in their hearts: It is well, it is well, to our mind: neither let them say: We have swallowed him up. •
[26] Let them blush: and be ashamed together, who rejoice at my evils. Let them be clothed with confusion and shame, who speak great things against me. •
[27] Let them rejoice and be glad, who are well pleased with my justice, and let them say always: The Lord be magnified, who delights in the peace of his servant. •
[28] And my tongue shall meditate thy justice, thy praise all the day long. •