Psalm 7

Psalm 7 is the seventh psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me". In Latin, it is known as "Domine Deus meus in te speravi". Its authorship is traditionally assigned to King David. The message in the psalm is that the righteous may seem weak, but ultimately will prevail against the wicked.

The psalm forms a regular part of Jewish, Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican and other Protestant liturgies. It has been set to music, and has inspired hymns.

Hebrew
The following table shows the Hebrew text of the Psalm with vowels alongside an English translation based upon the JPS 1917 translation (now in the public domain).

King James Version

 * 1) O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:
 * 2) Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
 * 3) O LORD my God, If I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;
 * 4) If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)
 * 5) Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.
 * 6) Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.
 * 7) So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.
 * 8) The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.
 * 9) Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
 * 10) My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.
 * 11) God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
 * 12) If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.
 * 13) He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.
 * 14) Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.
 * 15) He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.
 * 16) His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.
 * 17) I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.

Structure
The seventh psalm is a Psalm of David, and one of the Lamentations of an individual. A possible outline the psalm is as follows:
 * Verse 2f: calling upon God for help
 * Verse 4–6: protestation of innocence
 * Verse 7–10: achieving desires of the Last Judgment over his enemies
 * Verse 11f: comforting certainty to YHWH
 * Verse 13–17: Comparison of the wicked enemy the world court
 * Verse 18: Vows.

Superscription

 * A shiggaion of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush, a Benjamite.

This line is verse 1 in Hebrew texts. The Hebrew word shiggayon, which appears in the superscription, is of unknown meaning, perhaps indicating an emotional song.

Judaism
In Judaism, Psalm 7 holds significance as it is recited on the holiday of Purim. This psalm is included in the liturgy and traditions associated with Purim, a holiday commemorating the salvation of the Jewish people from the threat of extermination as described in the Book of Esther. Jews recite Psalm 7 as part of their Purim observance, emphasizing themes of trust in God's deliverance and protection from enemies.

The recitation of Psalm 7 during Purim serves as a reminder of the historical events and the unwavering trust in God's help during times of adversity. The psalm reflects the broader Jewish tradition of turning to the Book of Psalms for solace, inspiration, and spiritual guidance.

Psalm 7 is also included in other Jewish liturgical settings and may be recited in personal prayer as a source of comfort and strength. Its message of seeking divine justice and protection resonates with Jewish worshipers as they invoke God's mercy and guidance in their daily lives.

Overall, Psalm 7 remains a cherished part of Jewish religious practice, symbolizing faith in God's deliverance and a source of inspiration in times of need.

In Protestant revivalism
Jonathan Edwards used some of the imagery from Psalm 7 in his 1741 sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. Psalm 7:12–13 was used in Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God as:"The bow of God's wrath is bent, and the arrow made ready on the string, and justice bends the arrow at your heart, and strains the bow, and it is nothing but the mere pleasure of God, and that of an angry God, without any promise or obligation at all, that keeps the arrow one moment from being made drunk with your blood."

A takeoff on this imagery used by the book by Brian Zahnd is Sinners in the hands of a loving God.

The arrow imagery will occur 15 times in Psalms, of God, of His enemies and even of children of blessed people.

Catholicism
Around 530, St. Benedict of Nursia choose this psalm for the Tuesday office of Prime. According to the rule of St. Benedict, it was the first of three psalms. This tradition is still respected in a number of monasteries.

In the Liturgy of the Hours, Psalm 7 is recited during the Office of Midday on Mondays in the first week of the four weekly cycle of liturgical prayers.

Book of Common Prayer
In the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer, this psalm is appointed to be read on the evening of the first day of the month.

Musical settings
Heinrich Schütz wrote a setting of a paraphrase of Psalm 7 in German, "Auf dich trau ich, mein Herr und Gott", SWV 103, for the Becker Psalter, published first in 1628.