Psalms 7:5

may an enemy relentlessly chase ¹  me ²  and catch me; ³  may he trample me to death ⁴  and leave me lying dishonored in the dust. ⁵  (Selah)

then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust. Selah

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.

then let my enemies capture me. Let them trample me into the ground. Let my honor be left in the dust. Interlude

let them get me, walk all over me, leave me flat on my face in the dirt.

Let my hater go after my soul and take it; let my life be crushed to the earth, and my honour into the dust. (Selah.)

then let the enemy pursue and overtake me, trample my life to the ground, and lay my soul in the dust. Selah

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

may an enemy relentlessly chase ¹  me ²  and catch me; ³  may he trample me to death ⁴  and leave me lying dishonored in the dust. ⁵  (Selah)

¹ tn The vocalization of the verb form seems to be a mixture of Qal and Piel (see GKC 168 §63.n). The translation assumes the Piel, which would emphasize the repetitive nature of the action. The translation assumes the prefixed verbal form is a jussive. The psalmist is so certain that he is innocent of the sins mentioned in vv. 3-4, he pronounces an imprecation on himself for rhetorical effect.

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 “and may he overtake.” The prefixed verbal form is distinctly jussive. The object “me,” though unexpressed, is understood from the preceding statement.

⁴ tn Heb “and may he trample down to the earth my life.”

⁵ tn Heb “and my honor in the dust may he cause to dwell.” The prefixed verbal form is distinctly jussive. Some emend כְבוֹדִי (khÿvodiy, “my honor”) to כְבֵדִי (khÿvediy, “my liver” as the seat of life), but the term כְבוֹדִי (khÿvodiy) is to be retained since it probably refers to the psalmist’s dignity or honor.