Psalm 7 16

Psalm 7:16 kjv

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

Psalm 7:16 nkjv

His trouble shall return upon his own head, And his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown.

Psalm 7:16 niv

The trouble they cause recoils on them; their violence comes down on their own heads.

Psalm 7:16 esv

His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends.

Psalm 7:16 nlt

The trouble they make for others backfires on them.
The violence they plan falls on their own heads.

Psalm 7 verses

Psalm 7 16 Meaning

Psalm 7:16 declares that the malicious intentions and destructive actions of the wicked will inevitably recoil upon themselves. It signifies a divinely guaranteed retribution, ensuring that those who devise harm and practice violence will personally experience the very suffering they intended for others. This verse emphasizes the profound principle of divine justice, highlighting that unrighteous deeds inherently contain their own self-punishing consequences within God's moral order.

Psalm 7 16 Context

Psalm 7 is a personal lament and prayer of vindication from David, addressing God's righteousness and his own integrity. The superscription describes it as a "Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush, a Benjamite." While the exact identity of Cush is debated (some link him to figures in Saul's narrative or see him as symbolic), the Psalm depicts David seeking divine justice against a malevolent accuser who seeks his ruin. David appeals to God as a righteous Judge (v. 8-11), expressing confidence that God punishes the wicked. Psalm 7:16 serves as a climactic affirmation of this divine judgment, following a vivid description (v. 12-15) of the wicked man's meticulous preparation of evil and his inevitable failure as he falls into his own trap. The verse confirms God's active role in maintaining justice, offering solace and assurance to the afflicted righteous.

Psalm 7 16 Word analysis

• His: Refers directly to "the wicked man" (rasha) previously detailed in Psalm 7:14-15, establishing personal responsibility for the outcome.
• Mischief (אָוֶן, aven): This Hebrew term encompasses wickedness, iniquity, trouble, calamity, and even futility or vanity. It refers to the internal evil thoughts, destructive plots, and unrighteous schemes conceived by the wicked. It implies an inherent corruption leading to destructive, yet ultimately self-defeating, acts.
• Shall return (יָשׁוּב, yashuv): Signifies an inevitable reversal or a boomerang effect. It's a statement of assured consequence, implying that what was projected outwards will inherently come back to its origin. This highlights the ordered nature of divine justice, not random chance.
• Upon his own head (עַל רֹאשׁוֹ, al ro'sho): A strong biblical idiom emphasizing direct personal responsibility and experiencing the full, direct impact of one's actions. The head, as the center of thought and being, is depicted as the precise point where the conceived evil recoils.
• And his: Connects the two parallel clauses, emphasizing that both aspects—internal malevolence and external aggression—will be met with the same retribution.
• Violence (חָמָס, ḥamas): A powerful Hebrew word denoting aggressive, cruel, and wrongful acts, often characterized by oppression, injustice, or physical harm. Unlike aven (which can be internal or general wickedness), ḥamas points to active, destructive, and brutal implementation of evil schemes. This is the tangible, external manifestation of the "mischief."
• Shall come down (תֵּרֵד, tered): Literally "it shall descend." Similar to "shall return," this metaphor vividly portrays the certainty and comprehensive nature of the retribution. It suggests a complete descent upon the individual, enveloping them in the consequences.
• Upon his own crown (עַל קָדְקֳדוֹ, al kodk'do): "Crown" (qodqod) refers specifically to the top of the head or skull. This is a classic example of synonymous parallelism, intensifying the prior phrase "upon his own head." It emphasizes the totality, inescapability, and crushing nature of the retribution upon the entirety of the person, as if weighing heavily upon their very essence or former position.

Psalm 7 16 Bonus section

• The profound use of Hebrew poetic parallelism, specifically synonymous parallelism, significantly reinforces the verse's message. Both clauses convey the same core truth—retribution—but do so with distinct, strong words, deepening the impact and certainty of the divine principle.
• This verse counters any worldly belief that evil actions, especially those cunningly devised or violently executed, can indefinitely evade consequences or succeed. It boldly asserts that God’s justice is not a passive force but an active principle, making the very acts of the wicked become their undoing. It underscores a cosmic order where moral reality asserts itself.
• The message found in this Psalm is a testament to the fact that God's character is righteous, and He actively ensures that the consequences of sin are realized. This offers a steady hope for those experiencing injustice, knowing their righteous God is a just judge.

Psalm 7 16 Commentary

Psalm 7:16 articulates a fundamental principle of divine justice: the wicked become the architects of their own downfall. It illustrates that evil schemes (mischief/aven) and oppressive actions (violence/ḥamas) are not left unaddressed in God's moral universe. Rather than being simply punished by an external force, the perpetrators of evil are ensnared and consumed by the very darkness they unleash. The vivid imagery of the "mischief" and "violence" returning "upon his own head" and "upon his own crown" powerfully conveys personal and complete responsibility. It's not just punishment; it's the inevitable self-destruction inherent in wickedness. This verse serves as a powerful declaration of God's active sovereignty in ensuring that the moral order prevails, providing comfort and assurance to those who suffer injustice while serving as a stark warning to those who engage in wickedness. It reaffirms the certainty that, though divine justice may seem delayed, it is never denied, ultimately vindicating the righteous and consuming the wicked in their own devices.