Psalm 7:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: lest like a lion they tear my soul apart, rending it in pieces, with none to deliver.

NIV: or they will tear me apart like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.

NASB: Or he will tear my soul like a lion, Dragging me away, while there is no one to rescue me.

CSB: or they will tear me like a lion, ripping me apart with no one to rescue me.

NLT: If you don’t, they will maul me like a lion, tearing me to pieces with no one to rescue me.

KJV: Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.

NKJV: Lest they tear me like a lion, Rending me in pieces, while there is none to deliver.

In this verse, David acknowledges what will happen if the Lord doesn't rescue him (Psalm 7:1). His enemies will tear him apart like a lion shredding its victim. The Hebrew term nephesh can be translated "soul," though in many contexts it refers to life (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 24:17; Psalm 31:13; Proverbs 29:10), as in this instance. In his early life, David had rescued his sheep from lions and bears (1 Samuel 17:34–36). Now he felt his enemies would devour him like a lion.

Believers often praise the Lord for protecting them. They acknowledge they would have fallen victim to harsh circumstances if it had not been for God's watchful care. The apostle Paul endured many trials: imprisonments, countless beatings, near-death experiences, lashings, beatings with rods, stoning, shipwreck, various dangers, sleeplessness, thirst, hunger, exposure to cold, and a narrow escape at Damascus, not to mention other cities he had to flee (2 Corinthians 11:23–33). In his letter to the Philippians, Paul testified: "I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:12–13).

Here, David is possibly concerned about the threat of Saul's men, who are pursuing him (1 Samuel 24:1–2). He may also be referring to slander and lies (Psalm 7:3–8). Those may be connected to Cush, who is briefly mentioned at the beginning of this passage (Psalm 7:1).

Psalm 7:1–5 sets the stage for the rest of the psalm. It reveals David's confidence in God to save him from his enemies. He believes he deserves defeat only if he has done wrong, such as by cheating or stealing. The rest of the psalm asks God to judge him according to his righteousness and his enemies according to their evil deeds. This psalm is described using an obscure term which probably refers to something musical. No information is given about Cush, or what he said.

David takes refuge in God and asks to be rescued from those seeking his life. He boldly defends himself from accusations of fraud or plunder. Rather than seek his own revenge, David calls on the Lord to execute judgment. The wicked man plots evil, is full of mischief, and gives birth to lies. However, trouble will come back to strike such a person. His sin and violence will lead to a sinful, violent end. David concludes this psalm by giving thanks and praise to the Lord.

This psalm was written by David. He prays to the Lord, the righteous Judge of the universe, to judge his wicked enemies. David may have written this psalm when he was being pursued by Saul's forces (1 Samuel 24:1–2). Themes expressed by David in 1 Samuel chapter 24 resemble those found in Psalm 7. The accusations he responds to may have come from Cush, mentioned in the psalm's title.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.