< Psalms 64 >

1 “For the leader of the music. A psalm of David.” Hear my voice, O God! when I pray! Preserve my life from the terrors of the enemy!

[For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.] Hear my voice, God, in my complaint. Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

2 Hide me from the assembly of the wicked, From the brawling crowd of evil-doers!

Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from the noisy crowd of the ones doing evil;

3 For like a sword they sharpen their tongues, Like arrows they aim their poisoned words,

who sharpen their tongue like a sword, and aim their arrows, deadly words,

4 To shoot in secret at the upright; Suddenly do they shoot at him without fear.

to shoot innocent men from ambushes. They shoot at him suddenly and fearlessly.

5 They prepare themselves for an evil deed; They commune of laying secret snares: “Who,” say they, “will see them?”

They encourage themselves in evil plans. They talk about laying snares secretly. They say, "Who will see them?"

6 They meditate crimes: “We have finished,” say they, “our plans!” The heart and bosom of every one of them are deep.

They plot injustice; they hide a well-conceived plan. Surely man's mind and heart are cunning.

7 But God will shoot an arrow at them; Suddenly shall they be wounded.

But God will shoot at them. They will be suddenly struck down with an arrow.

8 Thus their own tongues shall bring them down; All who see them will flee away.

Their own tongues shall ruin them. All who see them will shake their heads.

9 Then will all men stand in awe, And declare what God hath done, And attentively consider his work.

All humankind shall be afraid. They shall declare the work of God, and shall wisely ponder what he has done.

10 The righteous shall rejoice, and trust in the LORD; All the upright in heart shall glory.

The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall take refuge in him. All the upright in heart shall praise him.