Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint;

    protect my life from the threat of the enemy.

2 Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked,

    from the plots of evildoers.

3 They sharpen their tongues like swords

    and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.

4 They shoot from ambush at the innocent;

    they shoot suddenly, without fear.

5 They encourage each other in evil plans,

    they talk about hiding their snares;

    they say, “Who will see it[b]?”

6 They plot injustice and say,

    “We have devised a perfect plan!”

    Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.

7 But God will shoot them with his arrows;

    they will suddenly be struck down.

8 He will turn their own tongues against them

    and bring them to ruin;

    all who see them will shake their heads in scorn.

9 All people will fear;

    they will proclaim the works of God

    and ponder what he has done.