Psalms 7
1 A Psalm of David, which he sang to the Lord because of the words of Chusi the Benjamite. O Lord my God, in thee have I trusted: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me.
“A psalm of David, which he sang to Jehovah, on account of the reproaches of Cush the Benjamite.” O Jehovah, my God! to thee do I look for help; Save me from them that persecute me, and deliver me!
2 Lest at any time [the enemy] seize my soul as a lion, while there is none to ransom, nor to save.
Lest mine enemy tear me like a lion; Lest he rend me in pieces, while there is none to help.
3 O Lord my God, if I have done this; (if there is unrighteousness in my hands; )
O Jehovah, my God! if I have done this, —If there be iniquity upon my hands,
4 if I have requited with evil those who requited me [with good]; may I then perish empty by means of my enemies.
If I have rendered evil to my friend, Or have despoiled him that without cause is mine enemy, —
5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, an take it; and let him trample my life on the ground, and lay my glory in the dust. (Pause)
Let my adversary pursue and take me; Let him trample me to the ground, And lay me prostrate in the dust! (Pause)
6 Arise, O Lord, in thy wrath; be exalted in the utmost boundaries of mine enemies: awake, O Lord my God, according to the decree which thou didst command.
Arise, O LORD! in thine anger; Lift thyself up against the rage of mine enemies; Awake for me, ordain judgment!
7 And the congregation of the nations shall compass thee: and for this cause do thou return on high.
Let the assembly of the nations compass thee about, And on their account return to the height!
8 The Lord shall judge the nations: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to my innocence that is in me.
The LORD judgeth the nations; Judge me, O LORD! according to my righteousness, And requite me according to my integrity!
9 Oh let the wickedness of sinners come to an end; and [then] thou shalt direct the righteous, O God that searchest the hearts and reins.
Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked be at an end; But establish the righteous! For the righteous God trieth the heart and the reins.
10 My help is righteous, [coming] from God who saves the upright in heart.
My shield is with God, Who saveth the upright in heart.
11 God is a righteous judge, and strong, and patient, not inflicting vengeance every day.
God is a righteous judge, And a God who is angry every day.
12 If ye will not repent, he will furbish his sword; he has bent his bow, and made it ready.
If he do not desist, He sharpeneth his sword; He bendeth his bow, and maketh it ready;
13 And on it he has fitted the instruments of death; he has completed his arrows for the raging ones.
He prepareth for him the instruments of death; He shooteth his burning arrows.
14 Behold, he has travailed with unrighteousness, he has conceived trouble, and brought forth iniquity.
Behold, he travailed with iniquity, And conceived mischief, But hath brought forth disappointment!
15 He has opened a pit, and dug it up, and he shall fall into the ditch which he has made.
He made a pit and digged it. And is fallen into the ditch which he made.
16 His trouble shall return on his own head, and his unrighteousness shall come down on his own crown.
His mischief returneth upon his own head, And his violence cometh down upon his own skull.
17 I will give thanks to the Lord according to his righteousness; I will sing to the name of the Lord most high.
I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness; I will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.
