King James Version
Psalms 7:16
16His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.
Psalms 7:16 in other versions
- New International Version (NIV)The trouble they cause recoils on them; their violence comes down on their own heads.
- English Standard Version (ESV)His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends.
- New King James Version (NKJV)His trouble shall return upon his own head, And his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown.
- New Living Translation (NLT)The trouble they make for others backfires on them. The violence they plan falls on their own heads.
Context of Psalms 7:16
14Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. 15He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate. 17I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high.
Read all of Psalms 7Psalms 7:16 word by word
יָשׁ֣וּב עֲמָל֣וֹ בְרֹאשׁ֑וֹ וְעַ֥ל קָ֝דְקֳד֗וֹ חֲמָס֥וֹ יֵרֵֽד׃Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Psalms 7:16
- Psalms 36:4He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.
- Psalms 37:12The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
- 1 Samuel 23:9And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.
- 1 Samuel 24:12The Lord judge between me and thee, and the Lord avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
- 1 Samuel 26:10David said furthermore, As the Lord liveth, the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.
- 1 Samuel 28:19Moreover the Lord will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the Lord also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.
- 1 Samuel 31:3And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.
- 1 Kings 2:32And the Lord shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, my father David not knowing thereof, to wit, Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah.
- Esther 9:25But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.
- Malachi 2:3Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it.
Commentaries on Psalms 7:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16Shall come down upon his own pate - Upon his scalp, קדקד kodkod, the top of the head. It may refer to knocking the criminal on the head, in order to deprive him of life. Had scalping been known in those days, I should have thought the reference might be to that barbarous custom.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16His mischief - The mischief which he had designed for others. Shall return upon his own head - Shall come upon himself. The blow which he aimed at others shall recoil on himself. This is but stating in another form the sentiment which had been expressed in the two previous verses. The language used here has something of a proverbial cast, and perhaps was common in the time of the writer to express this idea. And his violent dealing - Which he shows to…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 10-17Verses 10-17 David is confident that he shall find God his powerful Saviour. The destruction of sinners may be prevented by their conversion; for it is threatened, If he turn not from his evil way, let him expect it will be his ruin. But amidst the threatenings of wrath, we have a gracious offer of mercy. God gives sinners warning of their danger, and space to repent, and prevent it. He is slow to punish, and long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-17This 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…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 15-1615-16. 1Sa 18:17; 31:2 illustrate the statement whether alluded to or not. These verses are expository of Psa 7:14, showing how the devices of the wicked end in disappointment, falsifying their expectations.Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 7:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
King James Version — Public Domain except in the United Kingdom (Crown rights)
Commentaries