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Psalm 64

Prayer for Protection from Enemies

To the leader. A Psalm of David.

Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint;
    preserve my life from the dread enemy.(A)
Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked,
    from the scheming of evildoers,(B)
who whet their tongues like swords,
    who aim bitter words like arrows,(C)
shooting from ambush at the blameless;
    they shoot suddenly and without fear.(D)
They hold fast to their evil purpose;
    they talk of laying snares secretly,
thinking, “Who can see us?[a](E)
    Who can search out our crimes?[b]
We have thought out a cunningly conceived plot.”
    For the human heart and mind are deep.(F)

But God will shoot his arrow at them;
    they will be wounded suddenly.
Because of their tongue he will bring them to ruin;[c]
    all who see them will shake with horror.(G)
Then everyone will fear;
    they will tell what God has brought about
    and ponder what he has done.(H)

10 Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord
    and take refuge in him.
Let all the upright in heart glory.(I)

Footnotes

  1. 64.5 Syr Jerome: Heb them
  2. 64.6 Cn: Heb They search out crimes
  3. 64.8 Cn: Heb They will bring him to ruin, their tongue being against them