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 you have I trusted: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver 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 Lest at any time [the enemy] seize my soul as a lion, while there is none to ransom, nor to save.
Otherwise, they will rip me apart like a lion, tearing me in pieces with no one else able to bring me to safety.
3 O Lord my God, if I have done this; (if there is unrighteousness in my hands; )
Yahweh my God, if I have done this, and there is guilt on 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 done evil to him who was at peace with me, or senselessly harmed my enemy without cause, then hear my words.
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)
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 Arise, O Lord, in your wrath; be exalted in the utmost boundaries of mine enemies: awake, O Lord my God, according to the decree which you did command.
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 And the congregation of the nations shall compass you: and for this cause do you return on high.
The countries are assembled all around you; take once more your rightful place over them.
8 The Lord shall judge the nations: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to my innocence that is in me.
Yahweh, judge the nations; vindicate me, Yahweh, because I am righteous and innocent, Most High.
9 Oh let the wickedness of sinners come to an end; and [then] you shall direct the righteous, O God that search the hearts and reins.
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 My help is righteous, [coming] from God who saves the upright in heart.
My shield comes from God, the one who saves the upright in heart.
11 God is a righteous judge, and strong, and patient, not inflicting vengeance every day.
God is a righteous judge, a God who is indignant each day.
12 If you will not repent, he will furbish his sword; he has bent his bow, and made it ready.
If a person does not repent, God will sharpen his sword and will prepare his bow for battle.
13 And on it he has fitted the instruments of death; he has completed his arrows for the raging ones.
He prepares to use weapons against him; he makes his arrows flaming shafts.
14 Behold, he has travailed with unrighteousness, he has conceived trouble, and brought forth iniquity.
Think about the one who is pregnant with wickedness, who conceives destructive plans, who gives birth to harmful lies.
15 He has opened a pit, and dug it up, and he shall fall into the ditch which he has made.
He digs a pit and hollows it out and then falls into the hole he has made.
16 His trouble shall return on his own head, and his unrighteousness shall come down on his own crown.
His own destructive plans return to his own head, for his violence comes down on his own head.
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 give thanks to Yahweh for his justice; I will sing praise to Yahweh Most High.
