‘Nightly I sit and dream of the dark old days and nights of firework shows,

I often see myself in the dark night watching or otherwise strutting across its stage just looking with stars in my eyes,

And what glorious stars they were.
I often sit and bring back dear recollections of days and nights gone by,

With all my friends and family working long hard hours in all weathers just to entertain for ten minutes or so,

That’s when I had all the enjoyment of life.

Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; 

fight against those who fight against me.

Take up shield and buckler; 
arise and come to my aid.

Brandish spear and javelin 
against those who pursue me. 
Say to my soul, 

"I am your salvation."

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.

 Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth 
 and humbled myself with fasting. 
 When my prayers returned to me unanswered,

 I went about mourning 
 as though for my friend or brother. 
 I bowed my head in grief 
 as though weeping for my mother.

 But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; 
 attackers gathered against me when I was unaware. 
 They slandered me without ceasing.

Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked; 
they gnashed their teeth at me.

O Lord, how long will you look on? 
Rescue my life from their ravages, 
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 gloat over me.

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."