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To the Director: A Davidic Psalm.

A Prayer for Protection

64 Hear, God, as I express my concern;
    protect me[a] from fear of the enemy.
Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked,
    from the mob of those who practice evil,
who sharpen their tongues like swords,
    and aim their bitter words like arrows,
shooting at the innocent from concealment.

Suddenly they shoot, fearing nothing.
They concoct an evil scheme for themselves;
they enumerate their hidden snares;
    they say, “Who will see them?”[b]
They devise wicked schemes, saying,
    “We have completed our plans,
        hiding them deep in our hearts.”

But God shot an arrow at them,
    and they were wounded immediately.
They tripped over their own tongues,
    and everyone who was watching ran away.
Everyone was gripped with fear
    and acknowledged God’s deeds,
        understanding what he had done.
10 The righteous rejoiced in the Lord,
    because they had fled to him for refuge.
        Let all the upright in heart exult.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 64:1 Lit. my life
  2. Psalm 64:5 Lit. see him; or see it

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