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Psalm 7

A shiggaion[a] by David; he sang it to Yahweh about the slanderous words of Cush, a descendant of Benjamin.

O Yahweh my Elohim, I have taken refuge in you.
    Save me, and rescue me from all who are pursuing me.
        Like a lion they will tear me to pieces
            and drag me off with no one to rescue me.

O Yahweh my Elohim,
    if I have done this—
        if my hands are stained with injustice,
        if I have paid back my friend with evil
            or rescued someone who has no reason to attack me—[b]

then let the enemy chase me and catch me.
    Let him trample my life into the ground.
        Let him lay my honor in the dust. Selah

Arise in anger, O Yahweh.
    Stand up against the fury of my attackers.
    Wake up, my God.[c]
    You have already pronounced judgment.
        Let an assembly of people gather around you.
            Take your seat high above them.
Yahweh judges the people of the world.
    Judge me, O Yahweh,
    according to my righteousness,
    according to my integrity.

Let the evil within wicked people come to an end,
    but make the righteous person secure,
        O righteous Elohim who examines thoughts and emotions.
10 My Magen is Elohim above,
    who saves those whose motives are decent.

11 Elohim is a fair Shophet,
    an El who is angered by injustice every day.
12 If a person does not change, Elohim sharpens his sword.
    By bending his bow, he makes it ready to shoot.
13 He prepares his deadly weapons
    and turns them into flaming arrows.
14 See how that person conceives evil,
    is pregnant with harm,
        and gives birth to lies.
15 He digs a pit and shovels it out.
    Then he falls into the hole that he made for others.
16 His mischief lands back on his own head.
    His violence comes down on top of him.

17 I will give thanks to Yahweh for his righteousness.
    I will make music to praise the name of Yahweh Elyon.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 7:1 Unknown musical term.
  2. Psalm 7:4 Hebrew meaning of this line uncertain.
  3. Psalm 7:6 Greek; Masoretic Text “Wake up to me.”

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