Psalm 7 is the prayer of someone falsely accused: “O Lord my God, in thee have I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me.” The psalmist appeals to God’s court, confident that “God is a just judge, strong and patient,” and that evil falls back on the one who plots it. Below is the full Catholic text, what the psalm means, how the Church uses it, and a prayer.
Psalm 7 in the Douay-Rheims Bible
The psalm of David which he sung to the Lord for the words of Chusi the son of Jemini.
O Lord my God, in thee have I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me.
Lest at any time he seize upon my soul like a lion, while there is no one to redeem me, nor to save.
O Lord my God, if I have done this thing, if there be iniquity in my hands:
If I have rendered to them that repaid me evils, let me deservedly fall empty before my enemies.
Let the enemy pursue my soul, and take it, and tread down my life on the earth, and bring down my glory to the dust.
Rise up, O Lord, in thy anger: and be thou exalted in the borders of my enemies. And arise, O Lord my God, in the precept which thou hast commanded:
And a congregation of people shall surround thee. And for their sakes return thou on high.
The Lord judgeth the people. Judge me, O Lord, according to my justice, and according to my innocence in me.
The wickedness of sinners shall be brought to nought: and thou shalt direct the just: the searcher of hearts and reins is God.
Just is my help from the Lord: who saveth the upright of heart.
God is a just judge, strong and patient: is he angry every day?
Except you will be converted, he will brandish his sword: he hath bent his bow and made it ready.
And in it he hath prepared the instruments of death, he hath made ready his arrows for them that burn.
Behold he hath been in labour with injustice; he hath conceived sorrow, and brought forth iniquity.
He hath opened a pit and dug it; and he is fallen into the hole he made.
His sorrow shall be turned on his own head: and his iniquity shall come down upon his crown.
I will give glory to the Lord according to his justice: and will sing to the name of the Lord the most high.
Psalm 7: the same number in every Bible
Psalm 7 has the same number in the Douay-Rheims and in modern Bibles: the Greek and Latin numbering used by the Douay only differs from the Hebrew numbering between Psalms 10 and 147. In Latin the psalm begins Domine Deus meus, in te speravi. See how many psalms are there?
What the psalm means
- Refuge in God: when accused or hunted, the psalmist runs to God.
- A clear conscience: he asks God to judge him according to his justice and innocence.
- God the just Judge: “God is a just judge, strong and patient.”
- Evil turns back on itself: “He hath opened a pit and dug it; and he is fallen into the hole he made.”
- Praise at the end: “I will give glory to the Lord according to his justice.”
How the Church uses Psalm 7
- In the Liturgy of the Hours.
- For anyone falsely accused or persecuted, as a prayer that leaves judgment to God. See psalms for protection.
A prayer with Psalm 7
Written for this page:
O Lord my God, in you I take refuge; save me from those who pursue me.
You search hearts and minds; judge me according to your justice.
Defend the innocent and turn back the plans of the wicked.
I will thank you for your justice and sing to your name, Most High. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
What is Psalm 7 about?
A prayer for help against false accusation and persecution, trusting God as the just Judge.
Is Psalm 7 the same number in Catholic Bibles?
Yes. The numbering of Psalms 1 to 8 is the same in the Douay-Rheims and in modern Bibles.
More psalms and prayers
- Psalm 58 (against unjust judges)
- Psalm 59 (Deliver me from my enemies)
- Psalm 35
- Psalm 17
- Psalm 11
- Psalms for protection
- How many psalms are there?
Texts and sources
- Scripture: Psalm 7, Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
- The prayer was written for this page.