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

Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint: Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

2 H ide me from the secret plans of the sinful and from the noise of those who do bad things.

Hide me from the secret counsel of evil-doers, From the tumult of the workers of iniquity;

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

Who have whet their tongue like a sword, And have aimed their arrows, even bitter words,

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

That they may shoot in secret places at the perfect: Suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.

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

They encourage themselves in an evil purpose; They commune of laying snares privily; They say, Who will see them?

6 T hey 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.

They search out iniquities; We have accomplished, say they, a diligent search: And the inward thought and the heart of every one is deep.

7 B ut God will shoot at them with an arrow. They will be hurt very soon.

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

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

So they shall be made to stumble, their own tongue being against them: All that see them shall wag the head.

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

And all men shall fear; And they shall declare the work of God, And shall wisely consider of his doing.

10 T he 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.

The righteous shall be glad in Jehovah, and shall take refuge in him; And all the upright in heart shall glory.