Psalm 35:4-12, 16-28
May those who seek my life
be disgraced and put to shame;
may those who plot my ruin
be turned back in dismay.
May they be like chaff before the wind,
with the angel of the LORD driving them away;
may their path be dark and slippery,
with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.
Since they hid their net for me without cause
and without cause dug a pit for me,
may ruin overtake them by surprise-
may the net they hid entangle them,
may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.
Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD
and delight in his salvation.
My whole being will exclaim,
"Who is like you, O LORD ?
You rescue the poor from those too strong for them,
the poor and needy from those who rob them."
Ruthless witnesses come forward;
they question me on things I know nothing about.
They repay me evil for good
and leave my soul forlorn.
Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked;
they gnashed their teeth at me.
O Lord, how long will you look on?
my precious life from these lions.
I will give you thanks in the great assembly;
among throngs of people I will praise you.
Let not those gloat over me
who are my enemies without cause;
let not those who hate me without reason
maliciously wink the eye.
They do not speak peaceably,
but devise false accusations
against those who live quietly in the land.
They gape at me and say, "Aha! Aha!
With our own eyes we have seen it."
O LORD, you have seen this; be not silent.
Do not be far from me, O Lord.
Awake, and rise to my defense!
Contend for me, my God and Lord.
Vindicate me in your righteousness, O LORD my God;
Do not let them think, "Aha, just what we wanted!"
or say, "We have swallowed him up."
May all who gloat over my distress
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who exalt themselves over me
be clothed with shame and disgrace.
May those who delight in my vindication
shout for joy and gladness;
may they always say, "The LORD be exalted,
who delights in the well-being of his servant."
My tongue will speak of your righteousness
and of your praises all day long.
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A RED ROSE FOR TERRI TODAY ==== AS SWEET, PERFECT AND BEAUTIFUL AS SHE IS
