Psalm 7:16

Translations

Modern

His trouble recoils on himself, and his violence falls on his own head.

Traditional

His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.

Literal

His trouble shall return upon his head, and on the top of his head, his violence shall come down.

Latin

Convertetur dolor ejus in caput ejus, et in verticem ipsius iniquitas ejus descendet.

Original

Hebrew

English

His trouble recoils on himself, and his violence falls on his own head.

Notes

Psalms 7:1–17

This psalm includes the following:

A lament (Psalm 7:1–2): The psalmist cries out to God for help and protection from enemies.
An oath of innocence (Psalm 7:3–5): The psalmist declares that he has done no wrong and maintains his integrity.
A call for God's justice (Psalm 7:6–9): He asks God to act against evildoers and defend the righteous.
An affirmation of God’s just kingship (Psalm 7:10–16): The psalmist praises God as a fair judge who rules the world rightly.
A concluding hymn of praise (Psalm 7:17): The psalmist ends with a song of thanksgiving, honoring God’s righteousness and deliverance.

Psalms 3:1–7:17

This group of psalms moves from an orderly world to a troubled one. Psalms 1–2 describe stability. The righteous person is blessed, and the Lord’s anointed king rules with authority.

In the psalms that follow, the tone changes. The Lord’s anointed cries out for help. He faces enemies, strong opposition, and evil plans.

It even seems at times that the Lord is far away. The psalmist feels confusion and distress instead of confidence and calm.

Theme notes and profiles

David Retribution

Related verses

Esther 9:25
But when it came before the king, he commanded by letter that the wicked scheme which Haman had devised against the Jews should come back upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.
Psalm 37:12–13
The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them,
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.
1 Samuel 26:10
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.
1 Samuel 31:3–4
When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him critically.
Psalm 36:12
There the evildoers lie fallen, thrown down and unable to rise.
1 Samuel 28:19
Moreover, the LORD will deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. And the LORD will deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.”
1 Samuel 24:12–13
May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you.
Psalm 36:4
Even on his bed he plots wickedness; he sets himself on a path that is not good; he fails to reject evil.
1 Samuel 23:9
When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.”
Malachi 2:3–5
Behold, I will rebuke your descendants, and I will spread dung on your faces, the waste from your feasts, and you will be carried off with it.

Glossary

Benjamin, Tribe of Cush (Person) David Music Psalms, Book of Shiggaion, Shigionoth

Topics

Malice: Brings Its own Punishment Malice: General Scriptures Concerning Pit: Figurative Wicked (People): Described

Psalm 7:16

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