Psalm 64

Common Metre (8,6,8,6)

Suggested Tunes:

(vv.1-6) 90 Morven, 28 Ballerma

(vv.7-10) 77 Irish, 101 Praetorius

1    When I to thee my prayer make,

            Lord, to my voice give ear;

      My life save from the enemy,

            of whom I stand in fear.

2    Me from their secret counsel hide

            who do live wickedly;

      From insurrection of those men

            that work iniquity:

3    Who do their tongues with malice whet,

            and make them cut like swords;

      In whose bent bows are arrows set,

            ev’n sharp and bitter words:

4    That they may at the perfect man

            in secret aim their shot;

      Yea, suddenly they dare at him

            to shoot, and fear it not.

5    In ill encourage they themselves,

            and their snares close do lay:

      Together conference they have;

            Who shall them see? they say.

6    They have search’d out iniquities,

            a perfect search they keep:

      Of each of them the inward thought,

            and very heart, is deep.

7    God shall an arrow shoot at them,

            and wound them suddenly:

8    So their own tongue shall them confound;

            all who them see shall fly.

9    And on all men a fear shall fall,

            God’s works they shall declare;

      For they shall wisely notice take

            what these his doings are.

10  In God the righteous shall rejoice,

            and trust upon his might;

      Yea, they shall greatly glory all

            in heart that are upright.