1 Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint;
guard my life from terror of the foe.
Hide me from the plots of those who hate,
from the noisy mob of evil ones.
2 Sharp as swords the wicked whet their tongues
and like arrows aim their deadly words,
shoot from ambush at the innocent
without warning and without a fear.
3 They agree to form an evil plot;
secretly they talk of laying snares,
saying, Who will learn of our designs?
They plan carefully their wicked schemes.
4 They are ready with a cunning plot,
for the human heart is full of guile.
God will shoot an arrow straight at them;
without warning they will be struck down.
5 They will all be made to trip themselves
and undo themselves by their own tongues.
All who see them shake their heads in scorn;
then shall all the people fear the LORD.
6 They will ponder God's almighty deeds
and proclaim the marvel of his works.
Let the righteous all rejoice in God;
praise the LORD for his protecting care!