A Prayer for the Army
[1] Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me.
[2] Take up shield and armor;
arise and come to my aid.
[3] Brandish spear and javelin
against those who pursue me.
Say to me,
“I am your salvation.”
[4] May those who seek my life
be disgraced and put to shame;
may those who plot my ruin
be turned back in dismay.
[5] May they be like chaff before the wind,
with the angel of the Lord driving them away;
[6] may their path be dark and slippery,
with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.
[7] Since they hid their net for me without cause
and without cause dug a pit for me,
[8] may ruin overtake them by surprise—
may the net they hid entangle them,
may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.
[9] Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord
and delight in his salvation.
[10] My whole being will exclaim,
“Who is like you, Lord?
You rescue the poor from those too strong for them,
the poor and needy from those who rob them.”
[11] Ruthless witnesses come forward;
they question me on things I know nothing about.
[12] They repay me evil for good
and leave me like one bereaved.
[13] Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth
and humbled myself with fasting.
When my prayers returned to me unanswered,
[14] I went about mourning
as though for my friend or brother.
I bowed my head in grief
as though weeping for my mother.
[15] But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee;
assailants gathered against me without my knowledge.
They slandered me without ceasing.
[16] Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked;
they gnashed their teeth at me.
[17] How long, Lord, will you look on?
Rescue me from their ravages,
my precious life from these lions.
[18] I will give you thanks in the great assembly;
among the throngs I will praise you.
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Keep the Faith. Best regards,
Bro. Rontabs, N.D.S.M.D.
