Psalms 64

Psalm 64

Prayer for Protection from Enemies

1Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint;[#Ps 55.2; 140.1]

preserve my life from the dread enemy.

2Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked,[#Ps 56.6; 59.2]

from the scheming of evildoers,

3who whet their tongues like swords,[#Ps 58.7]

who aim bitter words like arrows,

4shooting from ambush at the blameless;[#Ps 11.2; 55.19]

they shoot suddenly and without fear.

5They hold fast to their evil purpose;[#Ps 10.11]

they talk of laying snares secretly,

thinking, “Who can see us?

6Who can search out our crimes?[#Ps 49.11; #64.6 Cn: Heb They search out crimes]

We have thought out a cunningly conceived plot.”

For the human heart and mind are deep.

7But God will shoot his arrow at them;

they will be wounded suddenly.

8Because of their tongue he will bring them to ruin;[#Ps 9.3; 22.7; Prov 18.7; #64.8 Cn: Heb They will bring him to ruin, their tongue being against them]

all who see them will shake with horror.

9Then everyone will fear;[#Jer 50.28]

they will tell what God has brought about

and ponder what he has done.

10Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord[#Ps 25.20; 32.11]

and take refuge in him.

Let all the upright in heart glory.

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition, copyright © 2021 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Published by: National Council of the Churches of Christ