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.