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 musical composition of David, which he sang to Yahweh concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite. Yahweh my God, I take refuge in you! Save me from all who chase me, and rescue me.
2 Otherwise they will tear me apart like a lion, ripping me to pieces with no one to save me.
Otherwise, they will rip me apart like a lion, tearing me in pieces with no one else able to bring me to safety.
3 If I have done what I'm accused of, if my hands are guilty,
Yahweh my God, if I have done this, and there is guilt on my hands—
4 If I have paid back a friend with evil, if I have robbed my enemy for no reason,
if I have done evil to him who was at peace with me, or senselessly harmed my enemy without cause, then hear my words.
5 Then let my enemies chase me down; let them trample me in the dust and drag my reputation through the dirt. (Selah)
Then let my enemy pursue my life and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and lay my honor in the dust. (Selah)
6 Stand up, Lord, in your anger, rise up against the fury of my enemies; wake up, Lord, and bring me justice!
Arise, Yahweh, in your anger; stand up against the rage of my enemies; wake up for my sake and carry out the righteous decrees that you have commanded for them.
7 Bring together the nations before you; rule them from your throne on high.
The countries are assembled all around you; take once more your rightful place over them.
8 The Lord judges all people. Defend me, Lord, because I do what is right, because of my integrity.
Yahweh, judge the nations; vindicate me, Yahweh, because I am righteous and innocent, Most High.
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.
May the evil deeds of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous people, righteous God, you who examine hearts and minds.
10 The Most High God is my defense, the one who saves those who live right.
My shield comes from God, the one who saves the upright in heart.
11 God is a fair judge who is always hostile to evil.
God is a righteous judge, a God who is indignant each day.
12 If people do not change their minds, he will sharpen his sword. He has bent and strung his bow.
If a person does not repent, God will sharpen his sword and will prepare his bow for battle.
13 He has prepared weapons of death, he has his flaming arrows ready.
He prepares to use weapons against him; he makes his arrows flaming shafts.
14 See how the wicked conceive evil! They are pregnant with trouble. They give birth to dishonesty.
Think about the one who is pregnant with wickedness, who conceives destructive plans, who gives birth to harmful lies.
15 They dig a deep hole to catch people, but then fall into it themselves.
He digs a pit and hollows it out and then falls into the hole he has made.
16 The trouble they cause rebounds to hit them on the head; their violence against others comes down on their own skulls.
His own destructive plans return to his own head, for his violence comes down on his own head.
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 give thanks to Yahweh for his justice; I will sing praise to Yahweh Most High.
