1 H ear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear 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 of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:

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

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

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

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

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 matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?

They talk each other into doing sinful things. They talk about setting hidden traps. 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 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 shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.

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

8 S o they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall 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 shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of 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 in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.

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.