The Hurtful Tongue
(James 3:1–12)

1For the one directing. A Psalm of David.

1 Hear, O God, my voice in my complaint;

from the dread of the enemy, may You preserve my life.

2Hide me from the counsel of the wicked,

from the mob of workers of iniquity,

3who sharpen their tongue like a sword,

and aim a bitter word as their arrow,

4to shoot in secret at the blameless;

suddenly they shoot at him, and do not fear.

5They strengthen themselves in a word of evil;

they recount the hiding of snares—

they say, “Who is looking at them?”

6They search out injustice:

“We have perfected a searching plot.”

And the inner man and the heart is deep!

7And God will shoot at them an arrow—

suddenly they will be wounded.

8They will be made to stumble,

their own tongue being against them;

all those looking on them will flee.

9And all mankind will fear,

and they will declare the work of God,

and His deed they will wisely consider.

10A righteous one will be glad in YHWH,

and he will take refuge in Him;

and let all the upright in heart exult!