Psalms 7 – NIV & NIRV

New International Version

Psalms 7:1-17

Psalm 7In Hebrew texts 7:1-17 is numbered 7:2-18.

A shiggaionTitle: Probably a literary or musical term of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush, a Benjamite.

1Lord my God, I take refuge in you;

save and deliver me from all who pursue me,

2or they will tear me apart like a lion

and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.

3Lord my God, if I have done this

and there is guilt on my hands—

4if I have repaid my ally with evil

or without cause have robbed my foe—

5then let my enemy pursue and overtake me;

let him trample my life to the ground

and make me sleep in the dust.7:5 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

6Arise, Lord, in your anger;

rise up against the rage of my enemies.

Awake, my God; decree justice.

7Let the assembled peoples gather around you,

while you sit enthroned over them on high.

8Let the Lord judge the peoples.

Vindicate me, Lord, according to my righteousness,

according to my integrity, O Most High.

9Bring to an end the violence of the wicked

and make the righteous secure—

you, the righteous God

who probes minds and hearts.

10My shield7:10 Or sovereign is God Most High,

who saves the upright in heart.

11God is a righteous judge,

a God who displays his wrath every day.

12If he does not relent,

he7:12 Or If anyone does not repent, / God will sharpen his sword;

he will bend and string his bow.

13He has prepared his deadly weapons;

he makes ready his flaming arrows.

14Whoever is pregnant with evil

conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment.

15Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out

falls into the pit they have made.

16The trouble they cause recoils on them;

their violence comes down on their own heads.

17I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness;

I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.

New International Reader’s Version

Psalm 7:1-17

Psalm 7

A shiggaion of David. He sang it to the Lord about Cush, who was from the tribe of Benjamin.

1Lord my God, I go to you for safety.

Help me. Save me from all those who are chasing me.

2If you don’t, they will tear me apart as if they were lions.

They will rip me to pieces so that no one can save me.

3Lord my God, suppose I have done something wrong.

Suppose I am guilty.

4Or I have done evil to my friend.

Or I have robbed my enemy without any reason.

5Then let my enemy chase me and catch me.

Let him stomp me into the ground.

Let him bury me in the dust.

6Lord, rise up in your anger.

Rise up against the great anger of my enemies.

My God, wake up. Command that the right thing be done.

7Let all the people of the earth gather around you.

Rule over them from your throne in heaven.

8Lord, judge all people.

Lord, show that I have done what is right.

Most High God, remember that I am honest.

9God, you always do what is right.

You look deep down inside the hearts and minds of people.

Bring to an end the terrible things sinful people do.

Make godly people safe.

10The Most High God is like a shield that keeps me safe.

He saves those whose hearts are honest.

11God judges fairly.

He shows his anger every day.

12If evil people don’t change their ways,

God will sharpen his sword.

He will get his bow ready to use.

13He has prepared his deadly weapons.

He has made his flaming arrows ready.

14Whoever is full of evil

plans trouble and ends up telling lies.

15Whoever digs a hole and shovels it out

falls into the pit they have made.

16The trouble they cause comes back on them.

The terrible things they do will happen to them.

17I will give thanks to the Lord because he does what is right.

I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.