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Psalm 7

A song[a] of David to the Eternal regarding Cush, the Benjaminite.

O Eternal my God, in You I seek refuge.
    Save me from those who are chasing me. Rescue me,
Or else they will tear me to pieces as a lion devours his prey;
    they will carry me off with no one to snatch me from their jaws.

O Eternal my God, if I have done anything wrong to deserve this,
    if there is blood on my hands,
If I have mistreated a friend,
    or if I have stolen from an adversary without just cause,
Then let my enemy come after me and catch me,
    stomping me into the ground, ending my life,
    and grinding my honor into the dirt.

[pause][b]

Arise, O Eternal One, inflamed by Your anger.
    Come and counter the rage of my adversaries;
    open Your eyes, my God; hear my plea for justice once and for all.

Let the people gather around You.
    Return to Your rightful place above them in the high court.
The Eternal will judge the nations.
    Judge me now, Eternal One, according to my virtue and integrity.

Please, bring the evil actions of these wicked, wicked people to an end!
    But secure the righteous,
For You, righteous God,
    examine our hearts and minds.
10 God is my defender;
    He rescues those who have a pure heart.
11 God is a just judge;
    He passes judgment daily against the person who does evil.

12 If the wicked do not turn from their evil deeds, God will sharpen His sword;
    He will bend His bow, stringing it in readiness.
13 Yes, He has prepared His deadly weapons
    with His arrows flaming hot.
14 See, my enemies are fertile with evil.
    They conceive trouble
    and give birth to deception.
15 They prepare a trap, digging a deep pit,
    and fall into the snare they have made.
16 The trouble they plan will return to punish them,
    and their violent acts will come back to haunt them.

17 As a result, I will thank the Eternal for His justice
    and sing praises in honor of the Eternal, Most High.

Footnotes

  1. 7:title Hebrew, shiggaion, meaning is uncertain.
  2. 7:5 Literally, selah, likely a musical direction from a Hebrew root meaning “to lift up”

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