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

O God, hear my voice when I complain. Keep my life safe from the fear of those who hate me.

2 H ide me from the secret counsel and conspiracy of the ungodly, from the scheming of evildoers,

Hide me from the secret plans of the sinful and from the noise of those who do bad things.

3 W ho whet their tongues like a sword, who aim venomous words like arrows,

They have made their tongues sharp like a sword. They use poison words like arrows.

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

They shoot at the man without blame from their hiding place. They are quick to shoot at him and are not afraid.

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

They talk each other into doing sinful things. They talk about setting hidden traps. They say, “Who will see them?”

6 T hey 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.

They think of ways to do bad things, and say, “We have made a perfect plan!” For the inside thoughts and the heart of a man are deep.

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

But God will shoot at them with an arrow. They will be hurt very soon.

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

They will be made to trip and fall. Their own tongue is against them. All who see them will shake their heads.

9 A nd 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.

Then all men will be afraid. They will tell about the work of God. And they will think about what He has done.

10 T he 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.

The man who is right and good will be glad in the Lord and go to Him to be safe. All those whose hearts are right will give Him praise.