To the Director: A Davidic Psalm.

A Prayer for Protection

1Hear, God, as I express my concern;

protect mea from fear of the enemy.

2Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked,

from the mob of those who practice evil,

3who sharpen their tongues like swords,

and aim their bitter words like arrows,

4shooting at the innocent from concealment.

Suddenly they shoot, fearing nothing.

5They concoct an evil scheme for themselves;

they enumerate their hidden snares;

they say, “Who will see them?”b

6They devise wicked schemes, saying,

“We have completed our plans,

hiding them deep in our hearts.”

7But God shot an arrow at them,

and they were wounded immediately.

8They tripped over their own tongues,

and everyone who was watching ran away.

9Everyone was gripped with fear

and acknowledged God’s deeds,

understanding what he had done.

10The righteous rejoiced in the LORD,

because they had fled to him for refuge.

Let all the upright in heart exult.