Psalm 64 (ASV) · Opened

1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint: Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Hear, O God, my voice of complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy.

2Hide me from the secret counsel of evil-doers, From the tumult of the workers of iniquity;Hide me from the scheming of the wicked, from the mob of workers of iniquity,

3Who have whet their tongue like a sword, And have aimed their arrows, even bitter words,who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows,

4That they may shoot in secret places at the perfect: Suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.ambushing the innocent in seclusion, shooting suddenly, without fear.

5They encourage themselves in an evil purpose; They commune of laying snares privily; They say, Who will see them?They hold fast to their evil purpose; they speak of hiding their snares. “Who will see them?” they say.

6They search out iniquities; We have accomplished, say they, a diligent search: And the inward thought and the heart of every one is deep.They devise injustice and say, “We have perfected a secret plan.” For the inner man and the heart are mysterious.

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

8So they shall be made to stumble, their own tongue being against them: All that see them shall wag the head.They will be made to stumble, their own tongues turned against them. All who see will shake their heads.

9And all men shall fear; And they shall declare the work of God, And shall wisely consider of his doing.Then all mankind will fear and proclaim the work of God; so they will ponder what He has done.

10The righteous shall be glad in Jehovah, and shall take refuge in him; And all the upright in heart shall glory.Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in Him; let all the upright in heart exult.

Psalm 64

The Hurtful Tongue