The big picture
Psalms 7 opens in verse 1 with “O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 9 with “Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the…”, and closes in verse 17 with “I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name…” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, deliver, enemy, high, iniquity. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Psalms · King James Version · 17Psalms 7:1-6
1–6: O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that…
Psalms 7:1–6 opens with “O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver…” and reaches “Arise, O LORD , in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 7 develops its own movement around LORD, deliver, enemy, high, iniquity, with particular weight carried by LORD, deliver, enemy.
Context that brings the passage to life
“O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
Psalms 7:1-6
King James Version1O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:
2Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
3O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;
4If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)
5Let 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.
6Arise, 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.
Psalms 7:7-12
7–12: So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their…
Psalms 7:7–12 opens with “So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return…” and reaches “If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 7 develops its own movement around LORD, deliver, enemy, high, iniquity, with particular weight carried by judge, LORD, people.
Context that brings the passage to life
“So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
Psalms 7:7-12
King James Version7So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.
8The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD , according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.
9Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
10My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.
11God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
12If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.
Psalms 7:13-17
13–17: He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his…
Psalms 7:13–17 opens with “He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the…” and reaches “I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 7 develops its own movement around LORD, deliver, enemy, high, iniquity, with particular weight carried by LORD, mischief, praise.
Psalms 7:13-17
King James Version13He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.
14Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.
15He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.
16His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.
17I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Psalms 7:1 begins with “O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:”
Where the chapter turns
Psalms 7:9 forms a natural hinge: “Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.”
The final note
Psalms 7:17 leaves the reader with “I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, deliver, enemy, high, iniquity, judge help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What links this event with creation?
Waters overwhelm the inhabited world, reversing the separations that made life possible.
What details show continuity rather than total abandonment?
The named household and preserved kinds of living creatures survive within the ark.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.