Hidden plots brought into public judgment

The first request is preservation from fear of a hidden counsel

Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy. Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity: who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: that they may shoot in secret at the perfect.

They encourage themselves in an evil matter; they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them? They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search. Inward thought and heart are deep. The harm is covert speech aimed at a person who is called perfect in the sense of integrity, not flawless fame.

God's arrow answers theirs, and the judgment is public

But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded. So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away. And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.

The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory. Hidden plots are dragged into declaration. The psalm does not make suspicion into evidence, authorize surveillance of neighbors, or justify a return volley of bitter words. God shoots; the tongue falls on itself.