Psalms 7
1 “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!
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 mine enemy tear me like a lion; Lest he rend me in pieces, while there is none to help.
Otherwise they will tear me apart like a lion, ripping me to pieces with no one to save me.
3 O Jehovah, my God! if I have done this, —If there be iniquity upon my hands,
If I have done what I'm accused of, if my hands are guilty,
4 If I have rendered evil to my friend, Or have despoiled him that without cause is mine enemy, —
If I have paid back a friend with evil, if I have robbed my enemy for no reason,
5 Let my adversary pursue and take me; Let him trample me to the ground, And lay me prostrate in the dust! (Pause)
Then let my enemies chase me down; let them trample me in the dust and drag my reputation through the dirt. (Selah)
6 Arise, O LORD! in thine anger; Lift thyself up against the rage of mine enemies; Awake for me, ordain judgment!
Stand up, Lord, in your anger, rise up against the fury of my enemies; wake up, Lord, and bring me justice!
7 Let the assembly of the nations compass thee about, And on their account return to the height!
Bring together the nations before you; rule them from your throne on high.
8 The LORD judgeth the nations; Judge me, O LORD! according to my righteousness, And requite me according to my integrity!
The Lord judges all people. Defend me, Lord, because I do what is right, because of my integrity.
9 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.
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 My shield is with God, Who saveth the upright in heart.
The Most High God is my defense, the one who saves those who live right.
11 God is a righteous judge, And a God who is angry every day.
God is a fair judge who is always hostile to evil.
12 If he do not desist, He sharpeneth his sword; He bendeth his bow, and maketh it ready;
If people do not change their minds, he will sharpen his sword. He has bent and strung his bow.
13 He prepareth for him the instruments of death; He shooteth his burning arrows.
He has prepared weapons of death, he has his flaming arrows ready.
14 Behold, he travailed with iniquity, And conceived mischief, But hath brought forth disappointment!
See how the wicked conceive evil! They are pregnant with trouble. They give birth to dishonesty.
15 He made a pit and digged it. And is fallen into the ditch which he made.
They dig a deep hole to catch people, but then fall into it themselves.
16 His mischief returneth upon his own head, And his violence cometh down upon his own skull.
The trouble they cause rebounds to hit them on the head; their violence against others comes down on their own skulls.
17 I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness; I will sing praise to the name of the LORD 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.
