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".[1] 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.[2][3]
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.
Text
Hebrew
The following table shows the Hebrew text[4][5] of the Psalm with vowels alongside an English translation based upon the JPS 1917 translation (now in the public domain).
Oh that a full measure of evil might come upon the wicked, And that Thou wouldest establish the righteous; For the righteous God trieth the heart and reins.
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.[7] The Hebrew word shiggayon, which appears in the superscription, is of unknown meaning,[8] perhaps indicating an emotional song.[9]
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.[10][11]
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.[12]
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.[13]
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.[14]
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.[15]
The arrow imagery will occur 15 times in Psalms, of God, of His enemies and even of children of blessed people.[16]
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.[17] 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.
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.
^Janowski, Bernd (1999), "JHWH der Richter – ein rettender Gott. Psalm 7 und das Motiv des Gottesgerichts", Die rettende Gerechtigkeit. Beiträge zur Theologie des Alten Testaments (in German), vol. 2, Neukirchen-Vluyn, pp. 92–124.
