Add parallel Print Page Options

Psalm 64

For the choir director; a psalm by David.

Hear my voice, O Elohim, when I complain.
    Protect my life from a terrifying enemy.
Hide me from the secret plots of criminals,
    from the mob of troublemakers.
        They sharpen their tongues like swords.
        They aim bitter words like arrows
            to shoot at innocent people from their hiding places.
        They shoot at them suddenly, without any fear.
        They encourage one another in their evil plans.
        They talk about setting traps and say,
            “Who can see them?”
        They search for the perfect crime and say,
            “We have perfected a foolproof scheme!”
                Human nature and the human heart are a mystery!

But Elohim will shoot them with an arrow.
    Suddenly, they will be struck dead.
They will trip over their own tongues.
    Everyone who sees them will shake his head.
Everyone will be afraid and conclude,
    “This is an act of Elohim!”
        They will learn from what he has done.

10 Righteous people will find joy in Yahweh and take refuge in him.
    Everyone whose motives are decent will be able to brag.

Psalm 64[a]

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint;(A)
    protect my life from the threat of the enemy.(B)

Hide me from the conspiracy(C) of the wicked,(D)
    from the plots of evildoers.
They sharpen their tongues like swords(E)
    and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.(F)
They shoot from ambush at the innocent;(G)
    they shoot suddenly, without fear.(H)

They encourage each other in evil plans,
    they talk about hiding their snares;(I)
    they say, “Who will see it[b]?”(J)
They plot injustice and say,
    “We have devised a perfect plan!”
    Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.

But God will shoot them with his arrows;
    they will suddenly be struck down.
He will turn their own tongues against them(K)
    and bring them to ruin;
    all who see them will shake their heads(L) in scorn.(M)
All people will fear;(N)
    they will proclaim the works of God
    and ponder what he has done.(O)

10 The righteous will rejoice in the Lord(P)
    and take refuge in him;(Q)
    all the upright in heart will glory in him!(R)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 64:1 In Hebrew texts 64:1-10 is numbered 64:2-11.
  2. Psalm 64:5 Or us