1 H ear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; guard and preserve my life from the terror of the enemy.

2 H ide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:

Hide me from the secret counsel and conspiracy of the ungodly, from the scheming of evildoers,

3 w ho whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:

Who whet their tongues like a sword, who aim venomous words like arrows,

4 t hat they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.

Who shoot from ambush at the blameless man; suddenly do they shoot at him, without self-reproach or fear.

5 T hey encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?

They encourage themselves in an evil purpose, they talk of laying snares secretly; they say, Who will discover us ?

6 T hey search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.

They think out acts of injustice and say, We have accomplished a well-devised thing! For the inward thought of each one and his heart is deep.

7 B ut God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.

But God will shoot an unexpected arrow at them; and suddenly shall they be wounded.

8 S o they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.

And they will be made to stumble, their own tongues turning against them; all who gaze upon them will shake their heads and flee away.

9 A nd all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.

And all men shall fear and be in awe; and they will declare the work of God, for they will wisely consider and acknowledge that it is His doing.

10 T he righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.

The righteous shall be glad in the Lord and shall trust and take refuge in Him; and all the upright in heart shall glory and offer praise.