1 ¶ Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer; preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

2 H ide me from the secret counsel of the wicked, from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:

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

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

5 T hey encourage themselves in an evil matter; they attempt to hide the snares; they say, Who shall see them?

6 T hey search out iniquities; they perfect and put into effect that which they have invented in the inward thought of each one of them and that which they have devised in their heart.

7 ¶ But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.

8 S o they shall make their own council and agreements to fall upon themselves; all that see them shall flee away.

9 A nd all men shall fear and shall declare the work of God, for they shall understand his doing.

10 T he righteous shall be glad in the LORD and shall become secure in him, and all the upright in heart shall glory in him.