For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1O God, listen to my complaint.

Protect my life from my enemies’ threats.

2Hide me from the plots of this evil mob,

from this gang of wrongdoers.

3They sharpen their tongues like swords

and aim their bitter words like arrows.

4They shoot from ambush at the innocent,

attacking suddenly and fearlessly.

5They encourage each other to do evil

and plan how to set their traps in secret.

“Who will ever notice?” they ask.

6As they plot their crimes, they say,

“We have devised the perfect plan!”

Yes, the human heart and mind are cunning.

7But God himself will shoot them with his arrows,

suddenly striking them down.

8Their own tongues will ruin them,

and all who see them will shake their heads in scorn.

9Then everyone will be afraid;

they will proclaim the mighty acts of God

and realize all the amazing things he does.

10The godly will rejoice in the LORD

and find shelter in him.

And those who do what is right

will praise him.