LXIV. Book II. Prayer for Deliverance from Secret Enemies. 1909-14. The Book of Psalms. The Harvard Classics

The Book of Psalms.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

Book II

LXIV

Prayer for Deliverance from Secret Enemies

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.


[1]	HEAR my voice, O God, in my complaint: Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
[2]	Hide me from the secret counsel of evil-doers, From the tumult 1 of the workers of iniquity;
[3]	Who have whet their tongue like a sword, And have aimed their arrows, even bitter words,
[4]	That they may shoot in secret places at the perfect: Suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
[5]	They encourage themselves in an evil purpose; They commune of laying snares privily; They say, Who will see them?
[6]	They search out iniquities; We 2 have accomplished, say they, a diligent search: And the inward thought and the heart of every one is deep.
[7]	But God will shoot at them; With an arrow suddenly shall they be wounded.
[8]	So they 3 shall be made to stumble, their own tongue being against them: All that see them shall wag 4 the head.
[9]	And all men shall fear; And they shall declare the work of God, And shall wisely consider of his doing.
[10]	The righteous shall be glad in Jehovah, and shall take refuge in him; And all the upright in heart shall glory.

Note 1. Or, throng. [back]

Note 2. Or, as otherwise read, They have accomplished (or, have hidden). [back]

Note 3. Or, shall they against whom their tongue was make them to stumble. [back]

Note 4. Or, flee away. [back]