Psalms 35:11-21

11Malicious witnesses testify against me. They accuse me of crimes I know nothing about.

12They repay me evil for good. I am sick with despair.

13Yet when they were ill, I grieved for them. I denied myself by fasting for them, but my prayers returned unanswered.

14I was sad, as though they were my friends or family, as if I were grieving for my own mother.

15But they are glad now that I am in trouble; they gleefully join together against me. I am attacked by people I don’t even know; they slander me constantly.

16They mock me and call me names; they snarl at me.

17How long, O Lord, will you look on and do nothing? Rescue me from their fierce attacks. Protect my life from these lions!

18Then I will thank you in front of the great assembly. I will praise you before all the people.

19Don’t let my treacherous enemies rejoice over my defeat. Don’t let those who hate me without cause gloat over my sorrow.

20They don’t talk of peace; they plot against innocent people who mind their own business.

21They shout, “Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we saw him do it!”