Psalms 7
1 The psalm of David which he sung to the Lord for the words of Chusi the son of Jemini. O Lord my God, in thee have I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me.
A psalm (shiggaion) of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush, from the tribe of Benjamin. Lord my God, you are my protection. Save me from those who persecute me; please rescue me!
2 Lest at any time he seize upon my soul like a lion, while there is no one to redeem me, nor to save.
Otherwise they will tear me apart like a lion, ripping me to pieces with no one to save me.
3 O Lord my God, if I have done this thing, if there be iniquity in my hands:
If I have done what I'm accused of, if my hands are guilty,
4 If I have rendered to them that repaid me evils, let me deservedly fall empty before my enemies.
If I have paid back a friend with evil, if I have robbed my enemy for no reason,
5 Let the enemy pursue my soul, and take it, and tread down my life on the earth, and bring down my glory to the dust.
Then let my enemies chase me down; let them trample me in the dust and drag my reputation through the dirt. (Selah)
6 Rise up, O Lord, in thy anger: and be thou exalted in the borders of my enemies. And arise, O Lord my God, in the precept which thou hast commanded:
Stand up, Lord, in your anger, rise up against the fury of my enemies; wake up, Lord, and bring me justice!
7 And a congregation of people shall surround thee. And for their sakes return thou on high.
Bring together the nations before you; rule them from your throne on high.
8 The Lord judgeth the people. Judge me, O Lord, according to my justice, and according to my innocence in me.
The Lord judges all people. Defend me, Lord, because I do what is right, because of my integrity.
9 The wickedness of sinners shall be brought to nought: and thou shalt direct the just: the searcher of hearts and reins is God.
Please bring an end to the evil done by the wicked; vindicate those who do good, for you are the God of right who examines hearts and minds.
10 Just is my help from the Lord: who saveth the upright of heart.
The Most High God is my defense, the one who saves those who live right.
11 God is a just judge, strong and patient: is he angry every day?
God is a fair judge who is always hostile to evil.
12 Except you will be converted, he will brandish his sword: he hath bent his bow and made it ready.
If people do not change their minds, he will sharpen his sword. He has bent and strung his bow.
13 And in it he hath prepared the instruments of death, he hath made ready his arrows for them that burn.
He has prepared weapons of death, he has his flaming arrows ready.
14 Behold he hath been in labour with injustice; he hath conceived sorrow, and brought forth iniquity.
See how the wicked conceive evil! They are pregnant with trouble. They give birth to dishonesty.
15 He hath opened a pit and dug it; and he is fallen into the hole he made.
They dig a deep hole to catch people, but then fall into it themselves.
16 His sorrow shall be turned on his own head: and his iniquity shall comedown upon his crown.
The trouble they cause rebounds to hit them on the head; their violence against others comes down on their own skulls.
17 I will give glory to the Lord according to his justice: and will sing to the name of the Lord the most high.
I will thank the Lord because he does what is right; I will sing praises to the name of the Lord Most High.
