7:1 *[A shiggaion** of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush, a Benjamite.] Lord my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, / *In Hebrew texts 7:1-17 is numbered 7:2-18. / **Title: Probably a literary or musical term
7:2 or they will tear me apart like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.
7:3 Lord my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands -
7:4 if I have repaid my ally with evil or without cause have robbed my foe -
7:5 then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust.* / *The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
7:6 Arise, Lord, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice.
7:7 Let the assembled peoples gather around you, while you sit enthroned over them on high.
7:8 Let the Lord judge the peoples.Vindicate me, Lord, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High.
7:9 Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure - you, the righteous God who probes minds and hearts.
7:10 My shield* is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart. / *Or sovereign
7:11 God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day.
7:12 If he does not relent, he* will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow. / *Or If anyone does not repent, God
7:13 He has prepared his deadly weapons; he makes ready his flaming arrows.
7:14 Whoever is pregnant with evil conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment.
7:15 Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit they have made.
7:16 The trouble they cause recoils on them; their violence comes down on their own heads.
7:17 I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.