^1. Psalm 7 A [1] of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush, a Benjamite.

^1. O LORD my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me,

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

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

^4. if I have done evil to him who is at peace with me or without cause have robbed my foe--

^5. 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 your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice.

^7. Let the assembled peoples gather around you. Rule over them from on high;

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

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

^10. My shield [2] is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.

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

^12. If he does not relent, he [3] will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow.

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

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

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

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

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