Psalm 7   Domine, Deus meus

Was today a day of innocency?

The Psalm portrays the judgment seat of God.  The just man makes his plea, protests his innocency, appeals to God's judgment.  Judgment is pronounced upon the innocent and the evildoers, and the judgment is a warning against them that would do evil ( a beautiful picture of God's long-suffering and justice): and punishment is meted out.

Plea

Dómine, Deus meus, in te sperávi : * salvum me fac ex ómnibus persequéntibus me, et líbera me.
2  Nequándo rápiat ut leo ánimam meam, * dum non est qui rédimat, neque qui salvum fáciat.

O Lord my God, in thee have I put my trust: * save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me;
2  Lest he devour my soul like a lion, * while there is none to redeem me, nor to save.

Protestation of innocency

3  Dómine, Deus meus, si feci istud. * si est iníquitas in mánibus meis :
4  Si réddidi retribuéntibus mihi mala, * décidam mérito ab inimícis meis inánis.
5  Persequátur inimícus ánimam meam, et comprehéndat, et concúlcet in terra vitam meam, * et glóriam meam in púlverem dedúcat.

3  O Lord my God, if I have done any such thing; * or if there be any wickedness in my hands;
4  If I have rewarded evil unto him that dealt friendly with me; * let me deservedly fall empty before mine enemies.
5  Then let mine enemy persecute my soul, yea, let him take it, and tread my life down upon the earth, * and lay mine honour in the dust.

Appeal to God's judgment

6  Exsúrge, Dómine, in ira tua : * et exaltáre in fínibus inimicórum meórum.
7  Et exsúrge, Dómine Deus meus, in præcépto quod mandásti : * et synagóga populórum circúmdabit te.
8  Et propter hanc in altum regrédere : * Dóminus júdicat pópulos.
9  Júdica me, Dómine, secúndum justítiam meam, * et secúndum innocéntiam meam super me.
10  Consumétur nequítia peccatórum, et díriges justum, *  scrutans corda et renes Deus.

6  Arise, O Lord, in thy wrath, * and be thou exalted in the land of mine enemies.
7  And rise up, O Lord my God, in the judgment that thou hast commanded; * and so shall the congregation of the people come about thee.
8  For their sakes therefore lift up thyself again on high, * the Lord judgeth the people.
9  Give sentence with me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, * and according to the innocency that is in me.
10  The wickedness of the ungodly shall be brought to nought, and thou shalt guide the just, * for God is the searcher of the hearts and reins.

Sentence

11 Justum adjutórium meum a Dómino, * qui salvos facit rectos corde.
12  Deus judex justus, fortis, et pátiens : * numquid iráscitur per síngulos dies?
13  Nisi convérsi fuéritis, gládium suum vibrábit : * arcum suum teténdit, et parávit illum.

11  My help is just that cometh of the Lord, * who saveth them that are true of heart.
12  God is a righteous Judge, strong, and patient; * and shall he be provoked every day?
13  If a man will not turn, he will whet his sword; * he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.

Punishment

14  Et in eo parávit vasa mortis : * sagíttas suas ardéntibus effécit.
15  Ecce partúriit injustítiam : * concépit dolórem, et péperit iniquitátem.
16  Lacum apéruit, et effódit eum : * et íncidet in fóveam quam fecit.
17  Convertétur dolor ejus in caput ejus : * et in vérticem ipsíus iníquitas ejus descéndet.

14  He hath prepared for him the instruments of death; * he hath ordained his arrows against them that burn.
15  Behold, he travaileth with injustice; * he hath conceived sorrow, and brought forth ungodliness.
16  He hath graven and digged up a pit, * and is fallen himself into the hole that he hath made.
17  For his sorrow shall come upon his own head, * and his wickedness shall fall on his own pate.

Finale

18  Confitébor Dómino secúndum justítiam ejus : * et psallam nómini Dómini altíssimi.

18  I will give thanks unto the Lord, according to his righteousness; * and I will praise the Name of the Lord Most High.