The Psalm
Psalm 35:7-28 (CSB)
7 They hid their net for me without cause; they dug a pit for me without cause.
8 Let ruin come on him unexpectedly, and let the net that he hid ensnare him; let him fall into it—to his ruin.
9 Then I will rejoice in the LORD; I will delight in his deliverance.
10 All my bones will say, “LORD, who is like you, rescuing the poor from one too strong for him, the poor or the needy from one who robs him?”
11 Malicious witnesses come forward; they question me about things I do not know.
12 They repay me evil for good, making me desolate.
13 Yet when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, and my prayer was genuine.
14 I went about mourning as if for my friend or brother; I was bowed down with grief, like one mourning for a mother.
15 But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; they gathered against me. Assailants I did not know tore at me and did not stop.
16 With godless mockery they gnashed their teeth at me.
17 Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue me from their ravages; rescue my precious life from the young lions.
18 I will praise you in the great assembly; I will exalt you among many people.
19 Do not let my deceitful enemies rejoice over me; do not let those who hate me without cause wink at me maliciously.
20 For they do not speak in friendly ways, but contrive fraudulent schemes against those who live peacefully in the land.
21 They open their mouths wide against me and say, “Aha, aha! We saw it!”
22 You saw it, LORD; do not be silent. Lord, do not be far from me.
23 Wake up and rise to my defense, to my cause, my God and my Lord!
24 Vindicate me, LORD my God, in keeping with your righteousness, and do not let them rejoice over me.
25 Do not let them say in their hearts, “Aha! Just what we wanted.” Do not let them say, “We have swallowed him up!”
26 Let those who rejoice at my misfortune be disgraced and humiliated; let those who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and reproach.
27 Let those who want my vindication shout for joy and be glad; let them continually say, “The LORD be exalted. He takes pleasure in his servant’s well-being.”
28 And my tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praise all day long.
The Prayer
My life
I have only experienced
enemies trying to take my life
attempting to end me
my soul
my heart
and my mind.
They have used me
for their own wickedness
and to fulfill their hearts of sin
and to dispose me
like I am trash.
I am burn with anger
because I feel powerless
but my eyes see
who are my enemies
who have vowed to draw me away from you
and that fills me with rage.
Because you have loved me from all of eternity
and your heart was openly affectionate upon me
and you loved me
and you loved me so much
that you sent your Son
to live and die and rise from death
so I can live, and move and have my being
in you alone.
God, I pray for those
who would try to take my life.
They have failed. Miserably.
Their actions are in completely vain
Show them the wickedness of their sin
and turn their hearts towards you.
Save them from their sins
and from the snares of the devil.
Put Satan and his demons to open shame
because your Son has the keys
to hell and death
How much more glorious would it be
to these supposed enemies
who would have me killed
and then you draw them
and you call them
and you exchange their hearts
and filled them with your Spirit?
That would be spectacular
because that is what you have done for me
You have predestined me?
Predestined them
You have called me?
Call them
You have justified me in my wickedness
that eclipses their own wickedness?
Justify them
You have glorified me
because you have glorified your Son?
Glorify them
You have saved me?
Save them
You have loved me?
Love them.
Save my enemies O Lord
keep them precious in your sight
my Savior and my Redeemer forever.
Amen.