Psalms – Chapter 7

Old Testament18 Verses

1The psalm of David, which he sung to the Lord, for the words of Chusi, the son of Jemini.

2O Lord, my God, in thee have I put my trust; save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me.

3Lest at any time he seize upon my soul like a lion, while there is no one to redeem me, nor to save.

4O Lord, my God, if I have done this thing, if there be iniquity in my hands:

5If I have rendered to them that repaid me evils, let me deservedly fall empty before my enemies.

6Let the enemy pursue my soul, and take it, and tread down my life, on the earth, and bring down my glory to the dust.

7Rise 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:

8And a congregation of people shall surround thee. And for their sakes return thou on high.

9The Lord judgeth the people. Judge me, O Lord, according to my justice, and according to my innocence in me.

10The wickedness of sinners shall be brought to nought; and thou shalt direct the just: the searcher of hearts and reins is God. Just

11Is my help from the Lord; who saveth the upright of heart.

12God is a just judge, strong and patient: is he angry every day?

13Except you will be converted, he will brandish his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.

14And in it he hath prepared to instruments of death, he hath made ready his arrows for them that burn.

15Behold he hath been in labour with injustice: he hath conceived sorrow, and brought forth iniquity.

16He hath opened a pit and dug it: and he is fallen into the hole he made.

17His sorrow shall be turned on his own head: and his iniquity shall come down upon his crown.

18I will give glory to the Lord according to his justice: and will sing to the name of the Lord the most high.

Reflection for Today

Psalms Chapter 7 presents themes of prayer, praise, and the full range of human emotion before God that Catholic tradition has long cherished. the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). The teaching that God invites us to bring all our emotions to Him remains as relevant today as when first written.

The Church reads Scripture within the context of the liturgy, where the Word of God is proclaimed and celebrated. The Catechism teaches that "in the liturgy, God speaks to his people and Christ is still proclaiming his Gospel" (CIC 1088). This chapter, when read in the context of the Church's worship, takes on deeper meaning.

Catholic biblical scholarship, guided by the Magisterium, helps us understand both the historical context and the spiritual meaning of these texts. The four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—open up the richness of God's Word. May your reading of this chapter bear fruit in holiness and service to others.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

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