Page:Book of common prayer (TEC, 1979).pdf/671

 My soul clings to you; * your right hand holds me fast.

May those who seek my life to destroy it * go down into the depths of the earth;

Let them fall upon the edge of the sword, * and let them be food for jackals.

But the king will rejoice in God; all those who swear by him will be glad; * for the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped.

Hear my voice, O God, when I complain; * protect my life from fear of the enemy.

Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, * from the mob of evildoers.

They sharpen their tongue like a sword, * and aim their bitter words like arrows,

That they may shoot down the blameless from ambush; * they shoot without warning and are not afraid.

They hold fast to their evil course; * they plan how they may hide their snares.

They say, “Who will see us? who will find out our crimes? * we have thought out a perfect plot.”

The human mind and heart are a mystery; * but God will loose an arrow at them, and suddenly they will be wounded.