Psalm 7:2 kjv
Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
Psalm 7:2 nkjv
Lest they tear me like a lion, Rending me in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
Psalm 7:2 niv
or they will tear me apart like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.
Psalm 7:2 esv
lest like a lion they tear my soul apart, rending it in pieces, with none to deliver.
Psalm 7:2 nlt
If you don't, they will maul me like a lion,
tearing me to pieces with no one to rescue me.
Psalm 7 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 22:21 | Save me from the lion's mouth... | Prayer for rescue from destructive enemies |
| 1 Pet 5:8 | ...your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. | The spiritual enemy as a devouring lion |
| Ps 17:12 | Like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush. | Enemies as lions lying in wait |
| Jer 2:15 | The young lions have roared at him... | Enemies likened to roaring, devastating lions |
| Zeph 3:3 | Her officials within her are roaring lions... | Leaders acting as destructive predators |
| Dan 6:27 | He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he has saved Daniel from the power of the lions. | God's specific power to deliver from literal lions |
| Ps 34:17 | The righteous cry, and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. | God as the ultimate Deliverer |
| Ps 70:5 | I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay! | Urgency of God's deliverance |
| Ps 50:22 | "Now consider this, you who forget God, Lest I tear you in pieces..." | God's tearing judgment |
| Matt 10:28 | And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. | The distinction of soul and body; ultimate destruction |
| Ps 35:15-16 | ...they tear at me without ceasing... | Enemies tearing apart the righteous |
| Ps 124:6-8 | Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! We have escaped like a bird from the snare... Our help is in the name of the Lord... | Deliverance from snares and violent enemies |
| Ps 62:1 | For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. | Soul's complete dependence on God for salvation |
| Ps 91:3-4 | For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence... He will cover you with his pinions... | God's protective refuge from harm |
| 2 Tim 4:17-18 | But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me... so I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed... | God's rescue from profound danger |
| Prov 28:15 | Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people. | Wicked rulers as oppressive predators |
| Lam 3:10-11 | He is to me like a bear lying in wait, like a lion in hiding... he turned me aside from the way and tore me to pieces... | God's chastisement expressed with violent imagery |
| Isa 38:13 | I complained like a crane or a swallow; I moaned like a dove. My eyes grew dim with looking upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; be my surety! | A cry for divine help in utter distress |
| Hos 13:7-8 | So I will be to them like a lion; like a leopard I will lurk beside the way. I will fall upon them like a bear bereaved... I will tear open their breast... | God's judgment using predatory animal imagery |
| Ps 57:4 | My soul is among lions; I lie among those who breathe out fire... | Feeling surrounded by dangerous adversaries |
| 2 Cor 1:9-10 | Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril... | Reliance on God in face of deadly peril |
Psalm 7 verses
Psalm 7 2 Meaning
Psalm 7:2 describes King David's desperate plea for divine intervention, articulating the dire threat posed by his adversaries. He likens his enemies to a predatory lion, poised to utterly destroy him, body and soul. The verse underscores David's extreme vulnerability and expresses the terrifying reality that without God's immediate deliverance, there is no hope of rescue from this overwhelming peril.
Psalm 7 2 Context
Psalm 7 is a "shiggaion" of David, a type of psalm noted for its passionate and irregular emotional expression, likely a wandering or fervent song of lament. It is titled "concerning Cush, a Benjamite." While the exact identity of Cush is unknown, it refers to an individual (possibly a detractor from Saul's tribe) who maliciously slandered or persecuted David, unjustly threatening his life or reputation. In this Psalm, David proclaims his innocence before God (vv. 3-5), pleads for divine justice and deliverance (vv. 1-2, 6-9), and confidently anticipates God's righteous judgment against his enemies (vv. 10-16), concluding with praise for the Lord's justice (v. 17). Verse 2 highlights the terrifying consequence David fears if God does not act immediately, presenting his perceived destruction in vivid animalistic terms.
Psalm 7 2 Word analysis
- Lest: The Hebrew word pên (פֶּן) introduces a negative purpose or consequence, expressing the reason for David's urgent prayer in verse 1. It signifies the dreadful outcome he seeks to avoid.
- he tear: The verb is yitrōf (יִטְרֹף), from the root ṭārap̄ (טָרַף), meaning "to tear," "to rend," "to snatch away," or "to prey upon." It vividly portrays the act of a wild beast violently tearing its prey, emphasizing the brutal and complete destruction intended by David's foe. This term is often used in the context of animals preying.
- my soul: The Hebrew word naphshî (נַפְשִׁי) refers to the "nephesh" of the speaker, encompassing his entire being – his life, inner self, person, or vitality. The threat is not merely physical injury but total annihilation of his existence and well-being.
- like a lion: The Hebrew phrase k'aryêh (כְּאַרְיֵה) uses the preposition "k" (כְּ), meaning "like" or "as," followed by aryêh (אַרְיֵה), the common Hebrew word for "lion." This powerful simile illustrates the enemy's ferocity, strength, and the merciless nature of their attack. The lion, a supreme predator, signifies unstoppable destructive force.
- rending it in pieces: The phrase is pōrêq w’ên mattsîl (פּוֹרֵק וְאֵין מַצִּיל).
- rending: pōrêq (פּוֹרֵק), from pāraq (פָּרַק), meaning "to break apart," "to tear in pieces," "to dismember." This is a more emphatic term than ṭārap̄, suggesting utter disintegration or disarticulation, making the image of destruction even more gruesome and complete.
- in pieces: Implicit in the verb pāraq.
- while there is none to deliver: The Hebrew w’ên mattsîl (וְאֵין מַצִּיל) directly translates to "and there is no deliverer." This phrase highlights the profound sense of helplessness and isolation David feels. It means no human or earthly power can rescue him from this specific, overwhelming danger. It magnifies his absolute dependence on God as the only rescuer.
Psalm 7 2 Bonus section
The lion metaphor for powerful enemies is common in the ancient Near East and across the Bible, emphasizing overwhelming power and destructive intent. Beyond just a physical threat, the "tearing of the soul" implies a destruction that encompasses one's very being, potentially including reputation, peace of mind, or spiritual vitality. This lament is not merely a complaint but a form of deep spiritual warfare, casting the spiritual adversary as a predatory beast seeking to devour (1 Pet 5:8). David’s prayer implicitly challenges any earthly power that might be worshipped or relied upon, reinforcing God's sovereignty as the only source of genuine salvation from such existential threats. This verse functions as a powerful testament to the desperation that drives a believer entirely into God's arms when faced with seemingly insurmountable danger.
Psalm 7 2 Commentary
Psalm 7:2 articulates a chilling fear, a primal dread of total obliteration. David perceives his enemies not just as opponents, but as predatory forces intent on his complete undoing, likening them to a lion tearing its victim. This graphic imagery conveys the brutality, inevitability, and utter finality of the threatened destruction. The "soul" refers to his very life, his inner self, emphasizing that the assault is existential. The stark reality of "none to deliver" underscores the depth of his peril and his recognition that all human avenues of escape are closed. This verse, therefore, is an intense cry from the depths of helplessness, compelling David to seek refuge and deliverance in God alone, highlighting His role as the sole and ultimate Deliverer. It paints a picture of extreme vulnerability and the exclusive nature of divine salvation.