A psalm of David
- Challenge those who challenge me, Lord. Attack those who are attacking me.
- Put on your helmet and flak jacket, ready for a clash. Come to my support, Lord.
- Show yourself to those who hound me; stand tall so that they can see that you will protect me. Reassure me that we will win out.
- Confront those who are determined to see an end of me. Challenge them so that they become confused and humiliated and make a retreat.
- Like dust blown away at the whim of a strong wind, may your messenger drive them away, Lord.
- Pursue them along their treacherous escape route on which they will find no secure footing.
- They were gunning for me, but I had not planned them harm. They tried to trip me up, but I did not have them in my sights.
- May it abruptly turn around for them. May they be caught in their own trap. May they be torn down by their own sabotage.
- I will be delighted with the Lord. I will be thrilled that he / she has liberated me.
- With every fibre of my being, I will acclaim him / her saying: “There is no-one like you, Lord.” Who else would liberate the humble from their oppressors? Who else would guard the powerless and disadvantaged from those who would cheat them?
- A hate campaign is building up against me. I am being accused of things I did not do.
- Why are they so cruel when all my intentions have been kind-hearted? This leaves me feeling wretched.
- When they were unwell, I was concerned for them. I prayed and went without food, though my prayers were without effect.
- I showed them the sympathy that I would give to close friends and family; I was distressed as though it was my own mother who was ill.
- They have repaid me by being pleased now that I am up against it. They triumphantly gang up against me. I am ambushed by strangers who smear me without mercy.
- They laugh in my face and lash out at me, using offensive names.
- You see all this going on and yet you do nothing, Boss. Why is that? Free me from their vicious aggression. Guard me against their blood thirsty attacks.
- I will express my gratitude to you in front of the whole church and let my cheers be heard by everyone.
- Don’t let my deceitful opponents have the opportunity to gloat over my surrender. Don’t let their unjustified loathing lead to my dejection.
- They pick on blameless people who are trying to lead quiet lives; the last thing on their minds is strong community and right relationships.
- They focus on making accusations – “it was him; we saw him do it!”
- Lord, I am not telling you something you don’t know – you see it all. Say something; do something, Boss. Don’t leave me on my own.
- Please prepare a case to defend me. Speak as my advocate, my Creator and my Boss.
- You give fair judgements so hear my case and declare me not guilty, Lord my Creator. Let me not become a laughingstock for my adversaries.
- Don’t let them get the upper hand and say “We have him where we want him. He is at our mercy.”
- Turn things round Lord, so that those who get their laughs at my expense are shamed and humiliated; so that those who celebrate my downfall are embarrassed and disgraced.
- Reward those who jumped to my defence with deep happiness. Let them acclaim you saying, “The Lord is excellent – he / she defends his / her follower and gives him wholeness.”
- I will acclaim your fairness and pay tribute to you every moment of the day.
© 2021 Andrew W. Kearns All Rights Reserved