Psalms 7:16

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

His mischief {H5999} shall return {H7725} upon his own head {H7218}, and his violent {H2555} dealing shall come down {H3381} upon his own pate {H6936}.

His mischief will return onto his own head, his violence will recoil onto his own skull.

His trouble recoils on himself, and his violence falls on his own head.

His mischief shall return upon his own head, And his violence shall come down upon his own pate.

Psalms 7:16 from the King James Version powerfully articulates the principle of divine retribution and poetic justice: "His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate." This verse assures that the evil intentions and actions of the wicked will ultimately rebound upon themselves.

Context

Psalm 7 is a prayer of King David, likely composed when he was facing false accusations or persecution, possibly from Cush the Benjamite as indicated in the Psalm's superscription. In this psalm, David appeals to God as a righteous judge, seeking vindication from his enemies and expressing his trust in God's justice. Verses leading up to 7:16 describe the wicked person's plotting of evil, likening their malice to conceiving mischief and bringing forth falsehood. This verse, therefore, serves as a declaration of faith in God's active involvement in upholding righteousness and ensuring that evildoers face the consequences of their own actions.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Retribution: The core message is that God ensures that evil deeds, whether malicious intent or violent actions, inevitably boomerang back upon the perpetrator. It's a statement of God's perfect judgment.
  • Consequences of Wickedness: This verse underscores the universal spiritual law that actions have repercussions. It highlights that those who devise harm for others are, in fact, preparing their own downfall.
  • God's Sovereignty: It affirms God's active involvement in maintaining justice in the world, assuring believers that even when injustice seems to prevail, God is in control and will ultimately set things right.

Linguistic Insights

The term "mischief" in Hebrew is 'amal (עָמָל), which often refers to trouble, sorrow, or wickedness that involves toil or effort, implying intentional and deliberate harm. "Violent dealing" comes from the Hebrew word chamas (חָמָס), which denotes violence, injustice, cruelty, or oppression. The use of "pate" is an archaic English term for the head, simply reinforcing the direct and personal impact of the consequences on the individual who initiated the evil. The parallelism in the verse ("upon his own head" and "upon his own pate") emphasizes the certainty and directness of this self-inflicted consequence.

Related Scriptures

This principle of the wicked falling into their own trap is a recurring theme in Scripture. It is vividly portrayed in Proverbs 26:27, which states, "Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him." Similarly, Psalm 9:15 declares, "The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken." This concept also resonates with the New Testament's teaching on sowing and reaping in Galatians 6:7: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

Practical Application

Psalms 7:16 offers both comfort and warning. For those who suffer injustice or are targets of malicious intent, it provides reassurance that God sees and will ultimately ensure justice, eliminating the need for personal revenge. For anyone contemplating malice or violence, it serves as a stern warning: such actions ultimately bring destruction upon oneself. It encourages a life of integrity and righteousness, trusting in God's perfect timing and method for justice rather than resorting to ungodly means.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 37:12

    The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

  • Psalms 37:13

    The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

  • Esther 9:25

    But 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.

  • 1 Kings 2:32

    And 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.

  • 1 Samuel 24:12

    The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

  • 1 Samuel 24:13

    As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

  • 1 Samuel 23:9

    And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.

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