The Hurtful Tongue
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.
1 Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer.
Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked,
from wicked mobs,
3 who sharpen their tongue like a sword,
and aim the arrows of deadly words,
4 to shoot the innocent from secret places.
They shoot at him without warning or fear.
5 They encourage themselves in evil plans.
They talk about laying snares secretly.
They say, “Who will see them?”
6 They plot injustice, saying, “We have made a perfect plan!”
Surely the heart and mind of man are cunning.
7 But God will shoot at them with an arrow,
and suddenly, they shall be wounded.
8 Their own tongues shall ruin them.
All who see them will shake their heads.
9 All mankind shall fear.
They shall declare the work of God,
and shall ponder what he has done.
10 The righteous shall be glad in the Lord
and will trust in him.
All the upright in heart shall praise him!