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(Written by David.[a] He sang this to the Lord because of Cush from the tribe of Benjamin.)

The Lord Always Does Right

You, Lord God,
    are my protector.
Rescue me and keep me safe
    from all who chase me.
Or else they will rip me apart
like lions attacking a victim,
    and no one will save me.

I am innocent, Lord God!
I have not betrayed a friend
    or had pity on an enemy[b]
    who attacks for no reason.
If I have done any of this,
then let my enemies
    chase and capture me.
Let them trample me to death
    and leave me in the dirt.

Get angry, Lord God!
    Do something!
Attack my furious enemies.
    See that justice is done.
Make the nations come to you,
as you sit on your throne[c]
    above them all.

Our Lord, judge the nations!
Judge me and show that I
    am honest and innocent.
(A) You know every heart and mind,
    and you always do right.
Now make violent people stop,
but protect all of us
    who obey you.

10 You, God, are my shield,
the protector of everyone
    whose heart is right.
11 You see that justice is done,
and each day
    you take revenge.
12 Whenever your enemies refuse
    to change their ways,
you sharpen your sword
    and string your bow.
13 Your deadly arrows are ready
    with flaming tips.

14 An evil person is like a woman
    about to give birth
to a hateful, deceitful,
    and rebellious child.
15 (B) Such people dig a deep hole,
    then fall in it themselves.
16 The trouble they cause
    comes back on them,
and their heads are crushed
    by their own evil deeds.

17 I will praise you, Lord!
    You always do right.
I will sing about you,
    the Lord Most High.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 7 Written by David: The Hebrew text has “a shiggaion by David,” which may refer to a psalm of mourning.
  2. 7.4 had pity on an enemy: Or “failed to have pity on an enemy.”
  3. 7.7 sit … throne: Or “return to your place.”

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