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Psalm 64

For the worship leader. A song of David.

O True God, hear my voice! Listen to my complaint!
    Guard my life; keep me safe from my enemy’s threats.
Hide me from the sinful circle that conspires against me,
    from the band of rebels out to make trouble,
Who sharpen their tongues into swords,
    who take aim with poisonous words like arrows.
They hide in the shadows and shoot at the innocent;
    they shoot at them without warning and without any fear.
They persist in their evil purpose
    and plan in secret to lay their traps.
    And they say, “Who will see them?”
They plot their offense with precision and say,
    “Now we have the perfect crime.”
    The human heart and mind are deep and complex.

But without hesitation the True God will shoot at them;
    His arrow will surely wound them.
He will use their very own words to bring them to destruction;
    all who see will be appalled at what happens to them.
Then everyone will fear the True God;
    they will proclaim His deeds
    and will reflect upon all He has done.

10 The righteous will delight in the Eternal
    and will take shelter in Him.
All those with an honest heart will glorify Him!

Psalm 64[a]

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint;(A)
    protect my life from the threat of the enemy.(B)

Hide me from the conspiracy(C) of the wicked,(D)
    from the plots of evildoers.
They sharpen their tongues like swords(E)
    and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.(F)
They shoot from ambush at the innocent;(G)
    they shoot suddenly, without fear.(H)

They encourage each other in evil plans,
    they talk about hiding their snares;(I)
    they say, “Who will see it[b]?”(J)
They plot injustice and say,
    “We have devised a perfect plan!”
    Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.

But God will shoot them with his arrows;
    they will suddenly be struck down.
He will turn their own tongues against them(K)
    and bring them to ruin;
    all who see them will shake their heads(L) in scorn.(M)
All people will fear;(N)
    they will proclaim the works of God
    and ponder what he has done.(O)

10 The righteous will rejoice in the Lord(P)
    and take refuge in him;(Q)
    all the upright in heart will glory in him!(R)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 64:1 In Hebrew texts 64:1-10 is numbered 64:2-11.
  2. Psalm 64:5 Or us