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A Prayer Against Enemies

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

64 God, listen to my complaint.
    ·I am afraid of my enemies;
    protect my life from them [L Protect my life from the dread of my enemies].
Hide me from ·those who plan wicked things [L the secret plans/conspiracy of the wicked],
    from that ·gang [mob; restless group] who does evil [Prov. 1:8–19].
They sharpen their tongues like swords
    and ·shoot [aim] bitter words like arrows.
From their hiding places they shoot at ·innocent [blameless] people;
    they shoot suddenly and are not afraid.
They encourage each other to do wrong.
    They talk about setting traps,
    ·thinking [or saying] ·no one will [L who can…?] see them.
They plan wicked things and say,
    “We have a perfect plan.”
The ·mind [L insides and the heart/mind] of human beings is ·hard to understand [L deep].

But God will shoot them with arrows;
    they will suddenly be struck down.
Their own ·words [tongues] will ·be used against them [L make them stumble].
    All who see them will shake their heads [C in amazement at their downfall].
Then everyone will fear God [Prov. 1:7].
    They will tell what God has done,
    and they will ·learn from [reflect on] what he has done.
10 ·Good [Righteous] people will be happy in the Lord
    and will find ·protection [refuge] in him.
Let everyone who is ·honest [virtuous in heart] praise the Lord.

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