7  A song by David which he sang to Yahweh concerning the Benyamite, Kush.

1 I’ve taken refuge in you, Yahweh, my god.

Save me from those who are trying to get me,

2 or else they’ll rip me apart like a lion—

tearing me apart without anyone to rescue me.

3 Yahweh my god, if I’m the cause of this,

≈ if it’s my hands that have done wrong,

4 if I repaid my friend with evil instead of good,

≈ or stole from my enemy for no good reason,

5 allow my enemy to chase me and overtake me,

and trample my life into the ground,

and allow my honour to disappear into the dust. (Instrumental break.)

6 Take action, Yahweh.

Take out your anger on my enemies

Wake up for my sake—it’s you who demands justice.

7 The countries have gathered around you—

return to ruling them from on high.

8 Yahweh, judge those people groups.

See my obedience and integrity,

and declare me innocent.

9 Bring the evil activities of wicked people to an end,

and establish those who do good instead.

The righteous God examines inner thoughts and motives.[ref]

10 I trust God as my shield—

the one who rescues people who desire to do good.

11 God is a judge who never does wrong.

He’s always against evil.

12 If anyone doesn’t repent, he’ll sharpen his bow,

then bend it back ready to use,

13 because he’s prepared weapons of death—

he makes fiery arrows.

14 Look at that person who’s pregnant with wickedness

≈ and conceives trouble

≈ and gives birth to lies.

15 He digs a pit then makes it deeper,

but he’ll fall into the very hole that he made.

16 His trouble returns on his own head,

≈ and his violence crushes his own skull.

17 I thank Yahweh for how he always does what’s right,

and sing praises to Yahweh the highest one.