Psalm 7

Psalm 7 – New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 7^[a]

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

1. Lord my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me,
2. or they will tear me apart like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.
3. Lord my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands—
4. if I have repaid my ally with evil or without cause have robbed my foe—
5. then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust.^[c]
6. Arise, Lord, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice.
7. Let the assembled peoples gather around you, while you sit enthroned over them on high.
8. Let the Lord judge the peoples. Vindicate me, Lord, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High.
9. Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure—you, the righteous God who probes minds and hearts.
10. My shield^[d] is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.
11. God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day.
12. If he does not relent, he^[e] will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow.
13. He has prepared his deadly weapons; he makes ready his flaming arrows.
14. Whoever is pregnant with evil conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment.
15. Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit they have made.
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; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.

Footnotes

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

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Psalm 7 – King James Version (KJV)

Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the LORD, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite.

1. O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: Save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:
2. Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, While there is none to deliver.
3. O LORD my God, if I have done this; If there be iniquity in my hands;
4. If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (Yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)
5. Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; Yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.
6. Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: And awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.
7. So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: For their sakes therefore return thou on high.
8. The LORD shall judge the people: Judge me, O LORD, According to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.
9. Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: For the righteous God Trieth the hearts and reins.
10. My defence is of God, Which saveth the upright in heart.
11. God judgeth the righteous, And God is angry with the wicked every day.
12. If he turn not, he will whet his sword; He hath bent his bow, and made it ready.
13. He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; He ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.
14. Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, And hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.
15. He made a pit, and digged it, And is fallen into the ditch which he made.
16. His mischief shall return upon his own head, And his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.
17. I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: And will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.