Psalm 7:5
New International Version
then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust.

New Living Translation
then let my enemies capture me. Let them trample me into the ground and drag my honor in the dust. Interlude

English Standard Version
let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it, and let him trample my life to the ground and lay my glory in the dust. Selah

Berean Standard Bible
then may my enemy pursue me and overtake me; may he trample me to the ground and leave my honor in the dust. Selah

King James Bible
Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.

New King James Version
Let the enemy pursue me and overtake me; Yes, let him trample my life to the earth, And lay my honor in the dust. Selah

New American Standard Bible
Let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it; And let him trample my life to the ground And lay my glory in the dust. Selah

NASB 1995
Let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it; And let him trample my life down to the ground And lay my glory in the dust. Selah.

NASB 1977
Let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it; And let him trample my life down to the ground, And lay my glory in the dust. Selah.

Legacy Standard Bible
Let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it; And let him trample my life down to the ground And cause my glory to dwell in the dust. Selah.

Amplified Bible
Let the enemy pursue me and overtake me; And let him trample my life to the ground And lay my honor in the dust. Selah.

Christian Standard Bible
may an enemy pursue and overtake me; may he trample me to the ground and leave my honor in the dust. Selah

Holman Christian Standard Bible
may an enemy pursue and overtake me; may he trample me to the ground and leave my honor in the dust. Selah

American Standard Version
Let the enemy pursue my soul, and overtake it; Yea, let him tread my life down to the earth, And lay my glory in the dust. [Selah

Contemporary English Version
If I have done any of this, then let my enemies chase and capture me. Let them trample me to death and leave me in the dirt.

English Revised Version
Let the enemy pursue my soul, and overtake it; yea, let him tread my life down to the earth, and lay my glory in the dust. Selah

GOD'S WORD® Translation
then let the enemy chase me and catch me. Let him trample my life into the ground. Let him lay my honor in the dust. [Selah]

Good News Translation
then let my enemies pursue me and catch me, let them cut me down and kill me and leave me lifeless on the ground!

International Standard Version
then, let my enemy pursue me, let him overtake me, and let him trample my life to the ground. Interlude Let him put my honor into the dust.

Majority Standard Bible
then may my enemy pursue me and overtake me; may he trample me to the ground and leave my honor in the dust. Selah

NET Bible
may an enemy relentlessly chase me and catch me; may he trample me to death and leave me lying dishonored in the dust. (Selah)

New Heart English Bible
let the enemy pursue my soul, and overtake it; yes, let him tread my life down to the earth, and lay my glory in the dust. Selah.

Webster's Bible Translation
Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yes, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay my honor in the dust. Selah.

World English Bible
let the enemy pursue my soul, and overtake it; yes, let him tread my life down to the earth, and lay my glory in the dust. Selah.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
[Then] an enemy pursues my soul, and overtakes, "" And treads down my life to the earth, "" And places my glory in the dust. Selah.

Young's Literal Translation
An enemy pursueth my soul, and overtaketh, And treadeth down to the earth my life, And my honour placeth in the dust. Selah.

Smith's Literal Translation
The enemy will pursue my soul, and overtake; and he will tread down my life to the earth, and he will cause mine honor to dwell upon the dust Silence.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
let the enemy pursue my soul, and take hold of it, and trample my life into the earth, and drag down my glory into the dust.

New American Bible
Then let my enemy pursue and overtake my soul, trample my life to the ground, and lay my honor in the dust. Selah

New Revised Standard Version
then let the enemy pursue and overtake me, trample my life to the ground, and lay my soul in the dust. Selah
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Let the enemy pursue me and overtake me, yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth and lay my honor in the dust.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
May the enemy persecute my soul, and let him seize it and tread my life into the ground, and destroy my honor into the dust.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Let the enemy pursue my soul, and overtake it, And tread my life down to the earth; Yea, let him lay my glory in the dust. Selah

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Let the enemy persecute my soul, an take it; and let him trample my life on the ground, and lay my glory in the dust. Pause.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
I Take Refuge in You
4if I have rewarded my ally with evil, if I have plundered my foe without cause, 5then may my enemy pursue me and overtake me; may he trample me to the ground and leave my honor in the dust. Selah 6Arise, O LORD, in Your anger; rise up against the fury of my enemies. Awake, my God, and ordain judgment.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 24:12
May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you.

1 Samuel 26:9-11
But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can extend a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?” / David added, “As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD Himself will strike him down; either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. / But the LORD forbid that I should extend my hand against the LORD’s anointed. Instead, take the spear and water jug by his head, and let us go.”

2 Samuel 16:12
Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction and repay me with good for the cursing I receive today.”

2 Samuel 18:32
The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom all right?” And the Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up against you to harm you be like that young man.”

1 Kings 2:32
The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army.

Job 31:7-8
If my steps have turned from the path, if my heart has followed my eyes, or if impurity has stuck to my hands, / then may another eat what I have sown, and may my crops be uprooted.

Job 31:38-40
if my land cries out against me and its furrows weep together, / if I have devoured its produce without payment or broken the spirit of its tenants, / then let briers grow instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley.” Thus conclude the words of Job.

Jeremiah 18:20
Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit for me. Remember how I stood before You to speak good on their behalf, to turn Your wrath from them.

Jeremiah 20:12
O LORD of Hosts, who examines the righteous, who sees the heart and mind, let me see Your vengeance upon them, for to You I have committed my cause.

Ezekiel 18:24
But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same abominations as the wicked, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness and sin he has committed, he will die.

Matthew 5:39
But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;

Matthew 7:2
For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Matthew 26:52
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.

Luke 6:29
If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well.

Luke 22:36
“Now, however,” He told them, “the one with a purse should take it, and likewise a bag; and the one without a sword should sell his cloak and buy one.


Treasury of Scripture

Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yes, let him tread down my life on the earth, and lay my honor in the dust. Selah.

Let

Job 31:5-10,38-40
If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit; …

tread

Psalm 44:5
Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.

Psalm 60:12
Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

Job 40:12
Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.

lay

Psalm 49:12
Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.

Job 16:15
I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and defiled my horn in the dust.

Job 40:13
Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret.

Selah

Psalm 3:2
Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

Habakkuk 3:13
Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.

Jump to Previous
Dust Earth Enemy Glory Ground Hater Honor Honour Life Overtake Overtaketh Persecute Placeth Pursue Pursueth Selah Soul Trample Tread Treadeth
Jump to Next
Dust Earth Enemy Glory Ground Hater Honor Honour Life Overtake Overtaketh Persecute Placeth Pursue Pursueth Selah Soul Trample Tread Treadeth
Psalm 7
1. David prays against the malice of his enemies, professing his innocence
10. By faith he sees his defense, and the destruction of his enemies














if I have repaid
The phrase "if I have repaid" suggests a conditional introspection, a self-examination of one's actions. The Hebrew root here is "shalam," which means to make amends or to recompense. This word is often associated with the concept of peace and completeness, indicating that the psalmist is reflecting on whether he has disrupted the harmony by returning evil for good. In a broader biblical context, this reflects the principle of justice and righteousness, where one is called to repay good with good and not to return evil for evil, as seen in Romans 12:17.

my ally
The term "ally" in Hebrew is "shalom," which can also mean friend or one with whom you are at peace. This word underscores the importance of maintaining integrity and loyalty in relationships. In the historical context of ancient Israel, alliances were crucial for survival and prosperity, and betrayal of an ally was considered a grave sin. The psalmist is asserting his innocence in maintaining faithfulness to those who trust him.

with evil
The word "evil" is translated from the Hebrew "ra," which encompasses a broad range of negative actions and intentions, from moral wickedness to physical harm. The psalmist is emphasizing the severity of the accusation against him, as repaying an ally with evil would be a significant moral failing. This reflects the biblical teaching that God abhors evil and calls His people to pursue righteousness and justice.

or if I have plundered
"Plundered" comes from the Hebrew "shalal," meaning to take spoil or loot, often used in the context of war or conflict. The psalmist is examining whether he has unjustly taken from others, which would be a violation of God's commandments. This reflects the biblical principle of respecting others' property and rights, as outlined in the Ten Commandments.

my foe
The term "foe" is derived from the Hebrew "tsar," meaning adversary or enemy. In the ancient Near Eastern context, foes were often those who threatened one's life or community. The psalmist's mention of a foe highlights the tension between personal justice and the broader conflict, emphasizing that even in enmity, one must act justly.

without cause
The phrase "without cause" translates from the Hebrew "chinnam," meaning gratuitously or undeservedly. This highlights the psalmist's claim of innocence, asserting that any action against his foe was not without just reason. Biblically, this reflects the principle that God is a God of justice, who judges the heart and motives, as seen in Proverbs 16:2.

(5) Let the enemy.--Better, let an enemy.

Persecute.--Literally, burn. (See Note on Psalm 10:2.)

Tread.--Used of a potter treading the clay (Isaiah 41:25); of the trampling of horses (Ezekiel 26:11); of a herd trampling down their pasture (Ezekiel 34:28).

Dust.--Either as Psalm 22:15, "the dust of death," and if so, then khabod'. . . .

Verse 5. - Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it. "If I have been guilty of any of these acts, then let my enemy not only persecute my soul, as he is doing (vers. 1, 2), but take it - make it his prey - obtain full power over it." Yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth; i.e. "utterly destroy me and bring me to ruin." And not only so, but also lay mine honour in the dust; i.e. "bring me down to the grave with shame." Compare the imprecations of Job upon himself (Job 31:8, 10, 22, 40).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
then may my enemy
אוֹיֵ֨ב ׀ (’ō·w·yêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary

pursue
יִֽרַדֹּ֥ף (yi·rad·dōp̄)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute

and overtake
וְיַשֵּׂ֗ג (wə·yaś·śêḡ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5381: To reach, overtake

me;
נַפְשִׁ֡י (nap̄·šî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

may he trample
וְיִרְמֹ֣ס (wə·yir·mōs)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7429: To tread upon

me
חַיָּ֑י (ḥay·yāy)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

to the ground
לָאָ֣רֶץ (lā·’ā·reṣ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

and leave
יַשְׁכֵּ֣ן (yaš·kên)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7931: To settle down, abide, dwell

my honor
וּכְבוֹדִ֓י ׀ (ū·ḵə·ḇō·w·ḏî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3519: Weight, splendor, copiousness

in the dust.
לֶעָפָ֖ר (le·‘ā·p̄ār)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6083: Dust, clay, earth, mud

Selah
סֶֽלָה׃ (se·lāh)
Interjection
Strong's 5542: Suspension, pause


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OT Poetry: Psalm 7:5 Let the enemy pursue my soul (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 7:4
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