Psalms 7:2

Otherwise they will rip ¹  me ²  to shreds like a lion; they will tear me to bits and no one will be able to rescue me. ³ 

De 33:20; Jud 18:28; 2Sa 14:6; Job 10:7; Ps 10:9; Ps 17:12; Ps 22:13; Ps 35:15; Ps 50:22; Pr 19:12; Isa 38:13; Ho 13:7,8; 2Ti 4:17; 1Pe 5:8

¹ tn The verb is singular in the Hebrew text, even though “all who chase me” in v. 1 refers to a whole group of enemies. The singular is also used in vv. 4-5, but the psalmist returns to the plural in v. 6. The singular is probably collective, emphasizing the united front that the psalmist’s enemies present. This same alternation between a collective singular and a plural referring to enemies appears in Pss 9:3, 6; 13:4; 31:4, 8; 41:6, 10-11; 42:9-10; 55:3; 64:1-2; 74:3-4; 89:22-23; 106:10-11; 143:3, 6, 9.

² tn Heb “my life.” The pronominal suffix attached to נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh) is equivalent to a personal pronoun. See Ps 6:3.

³ tn Heb “tearing and there is no one rescuing.” The verbal form translated “tearing” is a singular active participle.