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 Leader. A Psalm of David.
Hear my voice, O G-d, in my complaint; preserve my life from the terror of the enemy.
Hide me from the council of evil-doers; from the tumult of the workers of iniquity;
Who have whet their tongue like a sword, and have aimed their arrow, a poisoned word;
That they may shoot in secret places at the blameless; suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
They encourage one another in an evil matter; they converse of laying snares secretly; they ask, who would see them.
They search out iniquities, they have accomplished a diligent search; even in the inward thought of every one, and the deep heart.
But G-d doth shoot at them with an arrow suddenly; thence are their wounds.
So they make their own tongue a stumbling unto themselves; all that see them shake the head. 10 And all men fear; and they declare the work of G-d, and understand His doing.
The righteous shall be glad in HaShem, and shall take refuge in Him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.