Psalm 7

Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the Lord, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite.

1        O Lord my God, in thee do I

                   my confidence repose:

          Save and deliver me from all

                   my persecuting foes;

2        Lest that the enemy my soul

                   should, like a lion, tear,

          In pieces rending it, while there

                   is no deliverer.

3        O Lord my God, if it be so

                   that I committed this;

          If it be so that in my hands

                   iniquity there is:

4        If I rewarded ill to him

                   that was at peace with me;

          (Yea, ev'n the man that without cause

                   my foe was I did free;)

5        Then let the foe pursue and take

                   my soul, and my life thrust

          Down to the earth, and let him lay

                   mine honour in the dust.

6        Rise in thy wrath, Lord, raise thyself,

                   for my foes raging be;

          And, to the judgment which thou hast

                   commanded, wake for me.

7        So shall th' assembly of thy folk

                   about encompass thee:

          Thou, therefore, for their sakes, return

                   unto thy place on high.

8        The Lord he shall the people judge:

                   my judge, JEHOVAH, be,

          After my righteousness, and mine

                   integrity in me.

9        O let the wicked's malice end;

                   but stablish stedfastly

          The righteous: for the righteous God

                   the hearts and reins doth try.

10      In God, who saves th' upright in heart,

                   is my defence and stay.

11      God just men judgeth, God is wroth

                   with ill men ev'ry day.

12      If he do not return again,

                   then he his sword will whet;

          His bow he hath already bent,

                   and hath it ready set:

13      He also hath for him prepar'd

                   the instruments of death;

          Against the persecutors he

                   his shafts ordained hath.

14      Behold, he with iniquity

                   doth travail, as in birth;

          A mischief he conceived hath,

                   and falsehood shall bring forth.

15      He made a pit, and digg'd it deep,

                   another there to take;

          But he is fall'n into the ditch

                   which he himself did make.

16      Upon his own head his mischief

                   shall be returned home;

          His vi'lent dealing also down

                   on his own pate shall come.

17      According to his righteousness

                   the Lord I'll magnify;

          And will sing praise unto the name

                   of God that is most high.