1 Receive, O God, my anguished prayer:
protect my life from those I dread,
and from the evil they prepare
in their desire to see me dead.

2 Their tongues they sharpen like a blade,
and aim with care their bitter lies;
well hidden, they are not afraid
to take the guiltless by surprise.

3 Resolved to have this evil done,
they talk of where to lay their snares,
presuming they are seen by none,
and that success will soon be theirs.

4 'The perfect plan we have designed!'
they dare to praise their loathsome art:
how devious is the human mind,
how dark and deep the human heart.

5 But God will take them by surprise:
their bodies will be stricken, torn,
destroyed by their recoiling lies,
and all will look on them with scorn.

6 In solemn tones will every voice
declare God's work and its result;
then let the just in him rejoice,
in him find refuge and exult!

David G Preston (born 1939) from Psalm 64
© David Preston/Jubilate Hymns Ltd
LM

CCL# 3835889