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A shiggaion of David. He sang it to the Lord about Cush, who was from the tribe of Benjamin.

Lord my God, I go to you for safety.
    Help me. Save me from all those who are chasing me.
If you don’t, they will tear me apart as if they were lions.
    They will rip me to pieces so that no one can save me.

Lord my God, suppose I have done something wrong.
    Suppose I am guilty.
Or I have done evil to my friend.
    Or I have robbed my enemy without any reason.
Then let my enemy chase me and catch me.
    Let him stomp me into the ground.
    Let him bury me in the dust.

Lord, rise up in your anger.
    Rise up against the great anger of my enemies.
    My God, wake up. Command that the right thing be done.
Let all the people of the earth gather around you.
    Rule over them from your throne in heaven.
    Lord, judge all people.
Lord, show that I have done what is right.
    Most High God, remember that I am honest.
God, you always do what is right.
    You look deep down inside the hearts and minds of people.
Bring to an end the terrible things sinful people do.
    Make godly people safe.

10 The Most High God is like a shield that keeps me safe.
    He saves those whose hearts are honest.
11 God judges fairly.
    He shows his anger every day.
12 If evil people don’t change their ways,
    God will sharpen his sword.
    He will get his bow ready to use.
13 He has prepared his deadly weapons.
    He has made his flaming arrows ready.

14 Whoever is full of evil
    plans trouble and ends up telling lies.
15 Whoever digs a hole and shovels it out
    falls into the pit they have made.
16 The trouble they cause comes back on them.
    The terrible things they do will happen to them.

17 I will give thanks to the Lord because he does what is right.
    I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.

Psalm 7[a]

A shiggaion[b](A) of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush, a Benjamite.

Lord my God, I take refuge(B) in you;
    save and deliver me(C) from all who pursue me,(D)
or they will tear me apart like a lion(E)
    and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue(F) me.

Lord my God, if I have done this
    and there is guilt on my hands(G)
if I have repaid my ally with evil
    or without cause(H) have robbed my foe—
then let my enemy pursue and overtake(I) me;
    let him trample my life to the ground(J)
    and make me sleep in the dust.[c](K)

Arise,(L) Lord, in your anger;
    rise up against the rage of my enemies.(M)
    Awake,(N) my God; decree justice.
Let the assembled peoples gather around you,
    while you sit enthroned over them on high.(O)
    Let the Lord judge(P) the peoples.
Vindicate me, Lord, according to my righteousness,(Q)
    according to my integrity,(R) O Most High.(S)
Bring to an end the violence of the wicked
    and make the righteous secure—(T)
you, the righteous God(U)
    who probes minds and hearts.(V)

10 My shield[d](W) is God Most High,
    who saves the upright in heart.(X)
11 God is a righteous judge,(Y)
    a God who displays his wrath(Z) every day.
12 If he does not relent,(AA)
    he[e] will sharpen his sword;(AB)
    he will bend and string his bow.(AC)
13 He has prepared his deadly weapons;
    he makes ready his flaming arrows.(AD)

14 Whoever is pregnant with evil
    conceives trouble and gives birth(AE) to disillusionment.
15 Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out
    falls into the pit(AF) they have made.(AG)
16 The trouble they cause recoils on them;
    their violence comes down on their own heads.

17 I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness;(AH)
    I will sing the praises(AI) of the name of the Lord Most High.(AJ)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 7:1 In Hebrew texts 7:1-17 is numbered 7:2-18.
  2. Psalm 7:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  3. Psalm 7:5 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
  4. Psalm 7:10 Or sovereign
  5. Psalm 7:12 Or If anyone does not repent, / God