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Exodus & Kingdom: Nation formed, law given, kingdom rises and falls

Psalms

Chapter 64

Prayer Against Secret Enemies

The psalmist asks God to preserve his life from fear of enemies who plot in secret counsel and wickedness. The enemies sharpen their tongues like swords and bend their bows to shoot bitter words in secret at the righteous, searching out iniquities with diligent effort. But God will shoot at them with an arrow and wound them suddenly, so their own tongues fall upon themselves and all who see them flee away. The righteous shall be glad and trust in God when His judgment upon the wicked is revealed.

Secret counsel of wickedSudden judgmentGod's arrowsRighteous vindication

1 Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

2 Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:

3 Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:

4 That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.

5 They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?

6 They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.

7 But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.

8 So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.

9 And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.

10 The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.

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