Psalms 7
The psalmist takes refuge in the LORD from those who pursue him and asks God to arise in judgment. He declares that God is a righteous judge who tests hearts and reins, and gives thanks to the LORD Most High.
| v | King James Version | Modern English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: | LORD my God, I take refuge in You; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, |
| 2 | Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver. | or they will tear me apart like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me. |
| 3 | O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; | LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands — |
| 4 | If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:) | if I have repaid my ally with evil or without cause have robbed my foe — |
| 5 | Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah. | then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let Him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust. |
| 6 | Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded. | Arise, LORD, in Your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice. |
| 7 | So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high. | Let the assembled peoples gather around You, while You sit enthroned over them on high. |
| 8 | The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me. | Let the LORD judge the peoples. Vindicate me, LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High. |
| 9 | Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. | Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure — you, the righteous God Who probes minds and hearts. |
| 10 | My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. | My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart. |
| 11 | God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. | God is a righteous judge, a God Who displays His wrath every day. |
| 12 | If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. | If a person does not repent, God will sharpen his sword; He will bend and string his bow. |
| 13 | He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors. | He has prepared his deadly weapons; he makes ready his flaming arrows. |
| 14 | Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. | Whoever is pregnant with evil conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment. |
| 15 | He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. | Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit they have made. |
| 16 | His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate. | The trouble they cause recoils on them; their violence comes down on their own heads. |
| 17 | I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high. | I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High. |