Psalms 7
1 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!
A Psalm of David, which he sang to the Lord because of the words of Cush, the son of Jemini. O Lord, my God, in you I have hoped. Save me from all those who persecute me, and free me:
2 Otherwise they will tear me apart like a lion, ripping me to pieces with no one to save me.
lest at any time, like a lion, he might seize my soul, while there is no one to redeem me, nor any who can save.
3 If I have done what I'm accused of, if my hands are guilty,
O Lord, my God, if there is iniquity in my hands, if I have done this:
4 If I have paid back a friend with evil, if I have robbed my enemy for no reason,
if I have repaid those who rendered evils to me, may I deservedly fall away empty before my enemies:
5 Then let my enemies chase me down; let them trample me in the dust and drag my reputation through the dirt. (Selah)
let the enemy pursue my soul, and take hold of it, and trample my life into the earth, and drag down my glory into the dust. (Pause)
6 Stand up, Lord, in your anger, rise up against the fury of my enemies; wake up, Lord, and bring me justice!
Rise up, Lord, in your anger. And be exalted to the borders of my enemies. And rise up, O Lord my God, according to the precept that you commanded,
7 Bring together the nations before you; rule them from your throne on high.
and a congregation of people will surround you. And, because of this, return on high.
8 The Lord judges all people. Defend me, Lord, because I do what is right, because of my integrity.
The Lord judges the people. Judge me, O Lord, according to my justice and according to my innocence within me.
9 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.
The wickedness of sinners will be consumed, and you will direct the just: the examiner of hearts and temperaments is God.
10 The Most High God is my defense, the one who saves those who live right.
Just is my help from the Lord, who saves the upright of heart.
11 God is a fair judge who is always hostile to evil.
God is a just judge, strong and patient. How could he be angry throughout every day?
12 If people do not change their minds, he will sharpen his sword. He has bent and strung his bow.
Unless you will be converted, he will brandish his sword. He has extended his bow and made it ready.
13 He has prepared weapons of death, he has his flaming arrows ready.
And with it, he has prepared instruments of death. He has produced his arrows for those on fire.
14 See how the wicked conceive evil! They are pregnant with trouble. They give birth to dishonesty.
Behold him who has given birth to injustice: he has conceived sorrow and has begotten iniquity.
15 They dig a deep hole to catch people, but then fall into it themselves.
He has opened a pit and enlarged it. And he has fallen into the hole that he made.
16 The trouble they cause rebounds to hit them on the head; their violence against others comes down on their own skulls.
His sorrow will be turned upon his own head, and his iniquity will descend upon his highest point.
17 I will thank the Lord because he does what is right; I will sing praises to the name of the Lord Most High.
I will confess to the Lord according to his justice, and I will sing a psalm to the name of the Lord Most High.
