A Prayer for Vindication
Psalms 34
David calls on the Lord to fight against those who fight him and to bring down the snares his enemies have hidden for him without cause. He recounts how he showed them compassion in their affliction while they answered him with mockery and false accusation, and asks the Lord to awake, judge his cause, and let those who favor his righteousness rejoice.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonJUDGE them, O Lord, who do me wrong. Fight against them who are at war with me.
BrentonA Psalm of David. Judge thou, O Lord, them that injure me, fight against them that fight against me.
GreekΤῷ Δαυίδ. Δικάσον, Κύριε, τοὺς ἀδικοῦντάς με, πολέμησον τοὺς πολεμοῦντάς με.
KJVPlead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.
JPS[A Psalm] of David. Strive, O LORD, with them that strive with me; Fight against them that fight against me.
2
ThomsonTake hold of the shield and buckler; and stand up in my defence.
BrentonTake hold of shield and buckler, and arise for my help.
GreekἘπιλαβοῦ ὅπλου καὶ θυρεοῦ, καὶ ἀνάστηθι εἰς βοήθειάν μοι.
KJVTake hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.
JPSTake hold of shield and buckler, And rise up to my help.
3
ThomsonUnsheath the sword and stop my pursuers: say to my soul, I am thy safety.
BrentonBring forth a sword, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say to my soul, I am thy salvation.
GreekἜκχεον ῥομφαίαν, καὶ σύγκλεισον ἐξεναντίας τῶν καταδιωκόντων με· εἰπὸν τῇ ψυχῇ μου, σωτηρία σου ἐγώ εἰμι.
KJVDraw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.
JPSDraw out also the spear, and the battle-axe, against them that pursue me; Say unto my soul: 'I am Thy salvation.'
4
ThomsonLet them who seek my life be shamed and confounded: let them be turned back and put to shame; who are devising evils against me.
BrentonLet them that seek my soul be ashamed and confounded: let them that devise evils against me be turned back and put to shame.
GreekΑἰσχυνθείησαν καὶ ἐντραπείησαν οἱ ζητοῦντες τὴν ψυχήν μου, ἀποστραφείησαν εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω, καὶ καταισχυνθείησαν οἱ λογιζόμενοί μοι κακά.
KJVLet them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.
JPSLet them be ashamed and brought to confusion that seek after my soul; Let them be turned back and be abashed that devise my hurt.
5
ThomsonLet them be like dust before the wind, when the angel of the Lord is afflicting them.
BrentonLet them be as dust before the wind, and an angel of the Lord afflicting them.
GreekΓενηθήτωσαν ὡσεὶ χοῦς κατὰ πρόσωπον ἀνέμου, καὶ ἄγγελος Κυρίου ἐκθλίβων αὐτούς.
KJVLet them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them.
JPSLet them be as chaff before the wind, The angel of the LORD thrusting them.
6
ThomsonLet their way be dark and slippery, when the angel of the Lord is pursuing them.
BrentonLet their way be dark and slippery, and an angel of the Lord persecuting them.
GreekΓενηθήτω ἡ ὁδὸς αὐτῶν σκότος καὶ ὀλίσθημα, καὶ ἄγγελος Κυρίου καταδιώκων αὐτούς.
KJVLet their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them.
JPSLet their way be dark and slippery, The angel of the LORD pursuing them.
7
ThomsonSeeing they have without cause, hid for me their destructive snare—have, without reason, reproached my soul;
BrentonFor without cause they have hid for me their destructive snare: without a cause they have reproached my soul.
GreekὍτι δωρεὰν ἔκρυψάν μοι διαφθορὰν παγίδος αὐτῶν, μάτην ὠνείδισαν τὴν ψυχήν μου.
KJVFor without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul.
JPSFor without cause have they hid for me the pit, even their net, Without cause have they digged for my soul. .
8
Thomsonlet a snare, which they know not, come upon them, and the gin catch them, which they have hidden; and by that very snare let them fall.
BrentonLet a snare which they know not come upon them: and the gin which they hid take them; and let them fall into the very same snare.
GreekἘλθέτω αὐτοῖς παγὶς ἣν οὐ γινώσκουσι, καὶ ἡ θήρα ἣν ἔκρυψαν, συλλαβέτω αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἐν τῇ παγίδι πεσοῦνται ἐν αὐτῇ.
KJVLet destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.
JPSLet destruction come upon him unawares; And let his net that he hath hid catch himself; With destruction let him fall therein.
9
ThomsonBut let my soul rejoice in the Lord, and be delighted with His salvation.
BrentonBut my soul shall exult in the Lord: it shall delight in his salvation.
GreekἩ δὲ ψυχή μου ἀγαλλιάσεται ἐπὶ τῷ Κυρίῳ, τερφθήσεται ἐπὶ τῷ σωτηρίῳ αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
JPSAnd my soul shall be joyful in the LORD; It shall rejoice in His salvation.
10
ThomsonLet all my bones say, O Lord, who is like Thee, who deliverest the afflicted from the hand of them who are stronger than he—the afflicted and needy from them who spoil him?
BrentonAll my bones shall say, O Lord, who is like to thee? delivering the poor out of the hand of them that are stronger than he, yea, the poor and needy one from them that spoil him.
GreekΠάντα τὰ ὀστᾶ μου ἐροῦσι, Κύριε τίς ὅμοιός σοι; ῥυόμενος πτωχὸν ἐκ χειρὸς στερεωτέρων αὐτοῦ, καὶ πτωχὸν καὶ πένητα ἀπὸ τῶν διαρπαζόντων αὐτόν.
KJVAll my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?
JPSAll my bones shall say: 'LORD, who is like unto Thee, Who deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, Yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?'
11
ThomsonFalse witnesses having risen up against me, laid to my charge things which I knew not;
BrentonUnjust witnesses arose, and asked me of things I knew not.
GreekἈναστάντες μάρτυρες ἄδικοι, ἃ οὐκ ἐγίνωσκον, ἐπηρώτων με.
KJVFalse witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.
JPSUnrighteous witnesses rise up; They ask me of things that I know not.
12
Thomsonthey returned me evil for good, even bereavement to my soul.
BrentonThey rewarded me evil for good, and bereavement to my soul.
GreekἈνταπεδίδοσάν μοι πονηρὰ ἀντὶ καλῶν, καὶ ἀτεκνίαν τῇ ψυχῇ μου.
KJVThey rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.
JPSThey repay me evil for good; Bereavement is come to my soul.
13
ThomsonAs for me, while they were raising troubles against me I clothed myself with sackcloth, and humbled my soul with fasting. Though my prayer is to return into mine own bosom,
BrentonBut I, when they troubled me, put on sackcloth, and humbled my soul with fasting: and my prayer shall return to my own bosom.
GreekἘγὼ δὲ ἐν τῷ αὐτοὺς παρενοχλεῖν μοι, ἐνεδυόμην σάκκον· καὶ ἐταπείνουν ἐν νηστείᾳ τὴν ψυχήν μου, καὶ ἡ προσευχή μου εἰς κόλπον μου ἀποστραφήσεται.
KJVBut as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.
JPSBut as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth, I afflicted my soul with fasting; And my prayer, may it return into mine own bosom.
14
Thomsonas I would a friend, as I would an own brother, so did I endeavour to conciliate. I humbled myself as one in mourning and deep sorrow.
BrentonI behaved agreeably towards them as if it had been our neighbour or brother: I humbled myself as one mourning and sad of countenance.
GreekὩς πλησίον ὡς ἀδελφὸν ἡμέτερον οὕτως εὐηρέστουν, ὡς πενθῶν καὶ σκυθρωπάξων οὕτως ἐταπεινούμην.
KJVI behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.
JPSI went about as though it had been my friend or my brother; I bowed down mournful, as one that mourneth for his mother.
15
ThomsonBut against me they rejoiced and gathered together; for me, scourges were collected and I did not know: they were split—and they had no compunction.
BrentonYet they rejoiced against me, and plagues were plentifully brought against me, and I knew it not: they were scattered, but repented not.
GreekΚαὶ κατʼ ἐμοῦ εὐφράνθησαν, καὶ συνήχθησαν, συνήχθησαν ἐπʼ ἐμὲ μάστιγες καὶ οὐκ ἔγνων· διεσχίσθησαν καὶ οὐ κατενύγησαν.
KJVBut in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:
JPS—
16
ThomsonThey tortured me—with scoffs they derided me; they gnashed their teeth at me.
BrentonThey tempted me, they sneered at me most contemptuously, they gnashed their teeth upon me.
GreekἘπείρασάν με, ἐξεμυκτήρισάν με μυκτηρισμὸν, ἔβρυξαν ἐπʼ ἐμὲ τοὺς ὀδόντας αὐτῶν.
KJVWith hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
JPS—
17
ThomsonO Lord, when wilt Thou look down—rescue my soul from their malice. This only begotten of mine, from lions.
BrentonO Lord, when wilt thou look upon me? Deliver my soul from their mischief, mine only-begotten one from the lions.
GreekΚύριε πότε ἐπόψῃ; ἀποκατάστησον τὴν ψυχήν μου ἀπὸ τῆς κακουργίας αὐτῶν, ἀπὸ λεόντων τὴν μονογενῆ μου.
KJVLord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.
JPSLord, how long wilt Thou look on? Rescue my soul from their destructions, Mine only one from the lions.
18
ThomsonI will render Thee thanks in a great congregation; among a mighty people I will praise Thee.
BrentonI will give thanks to thee even in a great congregation: in an abundant people I will praise thee.
GreekἘξομολογήσομαί σοι καὶ ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ πολλῇ, ἐν λαῷ βαρεῖ αἰνέσω σε.
KJVI will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.
JPSI will give Thee thanks in the great congregation; I will praise Thee among a numerous people.
19
ThomsonOver me, let not these, my bitter enemies, vainly rejoice; who hate me without cause, and give assent with their eyes.
BrentonLet not them that are mine enemies without a cause rejoice against me; who hate me for nothing, and wink with their eyes.
GreekΜὴ ἐπιχαρείησάν μοι οἱ ἐχθραίνοντές μοι ματαίως, οἱ μισοῦντές με δωρεὰν, καὶ διανεύοντες ὀφθαλμοῖς.
KJVLet not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.
JPSLet not them that are wrongfully mine enemies rejoice over me; Neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.
20
Thomson—
BrentonFor to me they spoke peaceably, but imagined deceits in their anger.
GreekὍτι ἐμοὶ μὲν εἰρηνικὰ ἐλάλουν, καὶ ἐπʼ ὀργῇ δόλους διελογίζοντο.
KJV—
JPS—
21
ThomsonThen they opened their mouth wide against me; they said, Aha! aha! our eyes have seen.
BrentonAnd they opened wide their mouth upon me; they said, Aha, aha, our eyes have seen it.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπλάτυναν ἐπʼ ἐμὲ τὸ στόμα αὐτῶν, εἶπαν, εὖγε, εὖγε, εἶδον οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ ἡμῶν.
KJVYea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.
JPSYea, they open their mouth wide against me; They say: 'Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.'
22
ThomsonThou, O Lord, hast seen; keep silence no longer. O Lord, stand not at a distance from me.
BrentonThou hast seen it, O Lord: keep not silence: O Lord, withdraw not thyself from me.
GreekΕἶδες Κύριε, μὴ παρασιωπήσῃς, Κύριε μὴ ἀποστῇς ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ.
KJVThis thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.
JPSThou hast seen, O LORD; keep not silence; O Lord, be not far from me.
23
ThomsonArise, O Lord, and attend to my trial, O my God and my Lord, for my justification.
BrentonAwake, O Lord, and attend to my judgment, even to my cause, my God and my Lord.
GreekἘξεγέρθητι Κύριε, καὶ πρόσχες τῇ κρίσει μου, ὁ Θεός μου καὶ ὁ Κύριός μου εἰς τὴν δίκην μου.
KJVStir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.
JPSRouse Thee, and awake to my judgment, Even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.
24
ThomsonJudge me, O Lord, according to Thy righteousness, O Lord my God! and let them not rejoice over me.
BrentonJudge me, O Lord, according to thy righteousness, O Lord my God; and let them not rejoice against me.
GreekΚρῖνόν με Κύριε κατὰ τὴν δικαιοσύνην σου Κύριε ὁ Θεός μου, καὶ μὴ ἐπιχαρείησάν μοι.
KJVJudge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.
JPSJudge me, O LORD my God, according to Thy righteousness; And let them not rejoice over me.
25
ThomsonLet them not say in their hearts, Aha! aha! it is to our mind; nor let them say, We have swallowed him up.
BrentonLet them not say in their hearts, Aha, aha, it is pleasing to our soul: neither let them say, We have devoured him.
GreekΜὴ εἴποισαν ἐν καρδίαις αὐτῶν, εὖγε, εὖγε τῇ ψυχῇ ἡμῶν· μηδὲ εἴποιεν, κατεπίομεν αὐτόν.
KJVLet them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.
JPSLet them not say in their heart: 'Aha, we have our desire'; Let them not say: 'We have swallowed him up.'
26
ThomsonLet them who rejoice at my calamities be shamed, and confounded together; let them be clothed with shame and confusion, who magnify themselves against me.
BrentonLet them be confounded and ashamed together that rejoice at my afflictions: let them be clothed with shame and confusion that speak great swelling words against me.
GreekΑἰσχυνθείησαν καὶ ἐντραπείησαν ἅμα οἱ ἐπιχαίροντες τοῖς κακοῖς μου· ἐνδυσάσθωσαν αἰσχύνην καὶ ἐντροπὴν οἱ μεγαλοῤῥημονοῦντες ἐπʼ ἐμέ.
KJVLet them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.
JPSLet them be ashamed and abashed together that rejoice at my hurt; Let them be clothed with shame and confusion that magnify themselves against me. .
27
ThomsonLet them who desire my justification, exult with joy and be gladdened. Let them who wish the peace of Thy servant, say continually, The Lord be magnified.
BrentonLet them that rejoice in my righteousness exult and be glad: and let them say continually, The Lord be magnified, who desire the peace of his servant.
GreekἈγαλλιάσαιντο καὶ εὐφρανθείησαν οἱ θέλοντες τὴν δικαιοσύνην μου, καὶ εἰπάτωσαν διαπαντὸς, μεγαλυνθείη ὁ Κύριος, οἱ θέλοντες τὴν εἰρήνην τοῦ δούλου αὐτοῦ.
KJVLet them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
JPSLet them shout for joy, and be glad, that delight in my righteousness; Yea, let them say continually: 'Magnified be the LORD, Who delighteth in the peace of His servant.'
28
ThomsonSo shall my tongue speak of Thy righteousness—of Thy praise all the day long.
BrentonAnd my tongue shall meditate on thy righteousness, and on thy praise all the day.
GreekΚαὶ ἡ γλῶσσά μου μελετήσει τὴν δικαιοσύνην σου, ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν τὸν ἔπαινόν σου.
KJVAnd my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.
JPSAnd my tongue shall speak of Thy righteousness, And of Thy praise all the day.