7:1 A shiggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush, a Benjamite. O LORD my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me,

7:2 or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.

7:3 O LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands--

7:4 if I have done evil to him who is at peace with me 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. Selah

7:6 Arise, O 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. Rule over them from on high;

7:8 let the LORD judge the peoples. Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High.

7:9 O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure.

7:10 My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.

7:11 God is a righteous judge, a God who expresses his wrath every day.

7:12 If he does not relent, he will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow.

7:13 He has prepared his deadly weapons; he makes ready his flaming arrows.

7:14 He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment.

7:15 He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit he has made.

7:16 The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head.

7:17 I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.