Psalm 721

A musical composition22 by David, which he sang to the Lord concerning23 a Benjaminite named Cush.24

7:1 O Lord my God, in you I have taken shelter.1

Deliver me from all who chase me! Rescue me!

7:2 Otherwise they will rip2 me3 to shreds like a lion;

they will tear me to bits and no one will be able to rescue me.4

7:3 O Lord my God, if I have done what they say,5

or am guilty of unjust actions,6

7:4 or have wronged my ally,7

or helped his lawless enemy,8

7:5 may an enemy relentlessly chase9 me10 and catch me;11

may he trample me to death12

and leave me lying dishonored in the dust.13

(Selah)

7:6 Stand up angrily,14 Lord!

Rise up with raging fury against my enemies!15

Wake up for my sake and execute the judgment you have decreed for them!16

7:7 The countries are assembled all around you;17

take once more your rightful place over them!18

7:8 The Lord judges the nations.19

Vindicate me, Lord, because I am innocent,20

because I am blameless,21 O Exalted One!22

7:9 May the evil deeds of the wicked23 come to an end!24

But make the innocent25 secure,26

O righteous God,

you who examine27 inner thoughts and motives!28

7:10 The Exalted God is my shield,29

the one who delivers the morally upright.30

7:11 God is a just judge;

he is angry throughout the day.31

7:12 If a person32 does not repent, God sharpens his sword33

and prepares to shoot his bow.34

7:13 He prepares to use deadly weapons against him;35

he gets ready to shoot flaming arrows.36

7:14 See the one who is pregnant with wickedness,

who conceives destructive plans,

and gives birth to harmful lies—37

7:15 he digs a pit38

and then falls into the hole he has made.39

7:16 He becomes the victim of his own destructive plans40

and the violence he intended for others falls on his own head.41

7:17 I will thank the Lord for42 his justice;

I will sing praises to the sovereign Lord!43