O mighty God, hear thou the voice

1 O Mighty GOD, hear Thou the voice,
I utter in my pray'r;
Preserve my life from cruel foes
and free me from their fear.
2 From secret plots of wicked men
O hide me carefully;
From insurrections of all those
who work iniquity.

3 Who their ill tongues in malice whet
and sharpen them like swords,
And set as arrows in their bows
to shoot out bitter words.
4 That they in secrecy may shoot
at those who upright are;
Yea suddenly against them shoot
and strike them without fear.

5 In ill designs excite themselves,
consulting how to lay
Their snares in utmost secrecy;
"and who shall see," they say.
6 Injurious evils they search out,
and search with utmost art:
Most inward is their plotting thought,
and deep their subtil heart.

7 But GOD will arrows shoot at them,
and wound them suddenly.
8 Yea their own tongue shall them confound,
and all who see them, fly.
9 Yea all around shall fear, and shall
the work of GOD declare;
For wisely they shall understand,
that these his doings are.

10 The just shall in the LORD rejoice,
and safe in Him rely;
Yea all of upright heart shall sure
exult in Him on high.


Source: The Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs of the Old and New Testament, faithfully translated into English Metre: being the New-England Psalm-Book, revised and improved... (2nd ed.) #PLXIV