Psalm 64
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Psalm 64
Prayer for Protection from Enemies
To the leader. A Psalm of David.
1 Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint;
preserve my life from the dread enemy.(A)
2 Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked,
from the scheming of evildoers,(B)
3 who whet their tongues like swords,
who aim bitter words like arrows,(C)
4 shooting from ambush at the blameless;
they shoot suddenly and without fear.(D)
5 They hold fast to their evil purpose;
they talk of laying snares secretly,
thinking, “Who can see us?[a](E)
6 Who can search out our crimes?[b]
We have thought out a cunningly conceived plot.”
For the human heart and mind are deep.(F)
7 But God will shoot his arrow at them;
they will be wounded suddenly.
8 Because of their tongue he will bring them to ruin;[c]
all who see them will shake with horror.(G)
9 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)
Psalm 64
Common English Bible
Psalm 64
For the music leader. A psalm of David.
64 Listen to me when I complain, God!
Protect my life from the enemy’s terror!
2 Hide me from the secret plots of wicked people;
hide me from the schemes of evildoers
3 who sharpen their tongues like swords.
They aim their arrow—a cruel word—
4 from their hiding places
so as to shoot an innocent person.
They shoot without warning and without fear.
5 They encourage themselves with evil words.
They plan on laying traps in secret.
“Who will be able to see them?” they ask.
6 “Let someone try to expose our crimes!
We’ve devised a perfect plot!
It’s deep within the human mind and heart.”[a]
7 But God will shoot them with an arrow!
Without warning, they will be wounded!
8 The Lord will make them trip over their own tongues;
everyone who sees them will just shake their heads.
9 Then all people will honor God,
will announce the act of God,
will understand it was God’s work.
10 Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord;
let them take refuge in him;
let everyone whose heart is in the right place give praise!
Footnotes
- Psalm 64:6 Heb uncertain
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible