> [[psalm-06|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-08|Next →]] --- # Psalm 7 ## God the Vindicator 1 A plaintive song of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush, the Benjaminite. ^psalm-07-1 ### I 2 LORD my God, in you I trusted; ^psalm-07-2 save me; rescue me from all who pursue me, 3 Lest someone maul me like a lion, ^psalm-07-3 tear my soul apart with no one to deliver. ### II 4 LORD my God, if I have done this, ^psalm-07-4 if there is guilt on my hands, 5 If I have maltreated someone treating me equitably— ^psalm-07-5 or even despoiled my oppressor without cause— 6 Then let my enemy pursue and overtake my soul, ^psalm-07-6 trample my life to the ground, and lay my honor in the dust. *Selah* ### III 7 Rise up, LORD, in your anger; ^psalm-07-7 be aroused against the outrages of my oppressors. Stir up the justice, my God, you have commanded. 8 Have the assembly of the peoples gather about you; ^psalm-07-8 and return on high above them, 9 the LORD will pass judgment on the peoples. ^psalm-07-9 Judge me, LORD, according to my righteousness, and my integrity. 10 Let the malice of the wicked end. ^psalm-07-10 Uphold the just one, O just God, who tries hearts and minds. ### IV 11 God is a shield above me ^psalm-07-11 saving the upright of heart. 12 God is a just judge, powerful and patient, ^psalm-07-12 not exercising anger every day. 13 If one does not repent, ^psalm-07-13 God sharpens his sword, strings and readies the bow, 14 Prepares his deadly shafts, ^psalm-07-14 makes arrows blazing thunderbolts. ### V 15 Consider how one conceives iniquity; ^psalm-07-15 is pregnant with mischief, and gives birth to deception. 16 He digs a hole and bores it deep, ^psalm-07-16 but he falls into the pit he has made. 17 His malice turns back upon his head; ^psalm-07-17 his violence falls on his own skull. ### VI 18 I will thank the LORD in accordance with his justice; ^psalm-07-18 I will sing the name of the LORD Most High. \* (Psalm 7) An individual lament. The psalmist flees to God’s presence in the sanctuary for justice and protection (([[psalm-07|Ps 7]]:2] – [3]) and takes an oath that only the innocent can swear (([[psalm-07|Ps 7]]:4] – [6]). The innocent psalmist can thus hope for the just God’s protection (([[psalm-07|Ps 7]]:7] – [14]) and be confident that the actions of the wicked will come back upon their own heads (([[psalm-07|Ps 7]]:15] – [17]). The justice of God leads the psalmist to praise (([[psalm-07|Ps 7]]:18]). \* (7:4) Have done this: in the accusation the enemies have made against the psalmist. \* (7:12) Powerful and patient: the inclusion of these words is drawn from the Septuagint tradition concerning this verse. a. (7:2) ([[psalm-06|Ps 6]]:5]; [22:21]. b. (7:6) [Ps 143:3]. c. (7:7) ([[psalm-09|Ps 9]]:4]; [19:20]. d. (7:10) ([[psalm-17|Ps 17]]:3]; [26:2]; [35:24]; [43:1]; [139:23]; [Jer 17:10]; [20:12]. e. (7:11) ([[psalm-03|Ps 3]]:4]. f. (7:13) ([[psalm-11|Ps 11]]:2]. g. (7:14) [Is 50:11]. h. (7:15) [Jb 15:35]; [Is 59:4]. i. (7:16) ([[psalm-09|Ps 9]]:16]; [35:8]; [57:7]; [Prv 26:27]; [Eccl 10:8]; [Sir 27:26]. j. (7:18) ([[psalm-18|Ps 18]]:50]; [30:5]; [135:3]; [146:2]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[psalm-06|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-08|Next →]]