Psalms 64 – Preserve My Life from Fear of the Enemy
A prayer for protection from secret plots and bitter words.
In this chapter of the Psalms overview, David prays for protection from enemies who scheme in secret, sharpening their tongues like swords and aiming bitter words as though shooting arrows at an innocent target. He asks God to hear his voice before real harm is done.
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Hear, O God, my voice of complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy.
Hide me from the scheming of the wicked, from the mob of workers of iniquity,
who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows,
ambushing the innocent in seclusion, shooting suddenly, without fear.
They hold fast to their evil purpose; they speak of hiding their snares. “Who will see them?” they say.
They devise injustice and say, “We have perfected a secret plan.” For the inner man and the heart are mysterious.
But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly they will be wounded.
They will be made to stumble, their own tongues turned against them. All who see will shake their heads.
Then all mankind will fear and proclaim the work of God; so they will ponder what He has done.
Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in Him; let all the upright in heart exult.