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

Hear my voice, God, in my complaint. Preserve my life from fear 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 conspiracy of the wicked, from the noisy crowd of the ones doing evil;

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

who sharpen their tongue like a sword, and aim their arrows, deadly words,

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

to shoot innocent men from ambushes. They shoot at him suddenly and fearlessly.

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 evil plans. They talk about laying snares secretly. They say, “Who will see them?”

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 plot injustice, saying, “We have made a perfect plan!” Surely man’s mind and heart are cunning.

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

But God will shoot at them. They will be suddenly struck down with an arrow.

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

Their own tongues shall ruin them. All who see them will shake their heads.

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

All mankind shall be afraid. They shall declare the work of God, and shall wisely ponder what he has done.

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 Yahweh, and shall take refuge in him. All the upright in heart shall praise him!