Psalms 7:2

KJV

Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending [it] in pieces, while [there is] none to deliver.

KJV (with Strong's)

Lest he tear {H2963} my soul {H5315} like a lion {H738}, rending it in pieces {H6561}, while there is none to deliver {H5337}.

Complete Jewish Bible

otherwise, they will maul me like a lion and tear me apart, with no rescuer present.

Berean Standard Bible

or they will shred my soul like a lion and tear me to pieces with no one to rescue me.

American Standard Version

Lest they tear my soul like a lion, Rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 7:2 is a profound and visceral cry from David, expressing an intense fear of a merciless adversary likened to a ravenous lion. This verse, following David's earnest declaration of innocence and trust in God, vividly portrays his desperate vulnerability, fearing total annihilation—the tearing apart of his very being—without immediate divine intervention. It powerfully underscores the absolute necessity of God's sovereign deliverance when all human avenues of help are exhausted or non-existent, highlighting the psalmist's complete and desperate reliance on the Almighty in the face of overwhelming and life-threatening peril.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 7:2 is situated within a "shiggaion," a term in the superscription that often denotes a highly emotional, passionate, or wandering psalm, frequently associated with lament, confession, or fervent prayer. It immediately follows David's urgent plea to God in [Psalm 7:1](/psalms/7-1 "Psalm 7:1 - David's Plea for Deliverance"), where he declares his unwavering trust and seeks divine refuge from his persecutors. The terrifying imagery of the lion in verse 2 dramatically amplifies the severity of the threat introduced in verse 1, establishing a tone of desperate urgency that permeates the remainder of the psalm. This vivid depiction of imminent destruction serves to justify David's fervent prayer for God to "awake" and execute justice, a plea that culminates later in the psalm, for example, in [Psalm 7:6](/psalms/7-6 "Psalm 7:6 - God Arises to Judge"). Thus, verse 2 functions as a powerful articulation of the specific, annihilating danger David perceives, providing the emotional and theological impetus for his subsequent appeals for divine intervention and vindication.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The superscription attributes this psalm to David "concerning Cush, a Benjamite." While Cush's identity remains largely obscure in the biblical narrative, this specific mention suggests a deeply personal and acutely felt betrayal or persecution, possibly from within David's own tribe or close circles, adding a layer of intimate anguish to his plight. In ancient Israel, lions were not merely symbolic creatures but a very real and terrifying threat to both livestock and human life in the wilderness regions. The imagery of being "torn" or "rent in pieces" by a lion would have evoked a primal, visceral fear of a brutal, inescapable, and utterly disfiguring death, leaving no trace of the victim. This metaphor would have resonated profoundly with David's audience, conveying the merciless intent and overwhelming power of his human adversary, who sought to utterly destroy him, much like a lion dismembers its prey. The cultural understanding of such a predator underscores the extremity of David's perceived danger.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book of Psalms and broader biblical theology. First, it highlights an **Urgent Plea for Deliverance**, demonstrating David's immediate and profound sense of danger, where he is not merely asking for help but for rescue from imminent, total destruction. Second, it underscores **Divine Protection as the Only Hope**, as the phrase "while there is none to deliver" emphasizes the complete inadequacy of human efforts or other sources of aid, pointing to God as the sole and ultimate rescuer. This echoes the sentiment found throughout the Psalms, where God is consistently portrayed as the [refuge and strength](/psalms/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God Our Refuge and Strength") of His people, their [rock and deliverer](/psalms/18-2 "Psalm 18:2 - God My Rock and Deliverer"). Third, the vivid "lion" metaphor conveys a deep sense of **Vulnerability and Desperation**, portraying David as utterly defenseless prey against a ferocious enemy determined to annihilate his very life, his "soul" or *nephesh*. Finally, the verse implicitly warns of the dire **Consequences of God's Absence**, suggesting that without divine intervention, the outcome would be complete destruction and despair, reinforcing the psalmist's absolute reliance on God's active presence and power in the face of overwhelming evil.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **tear (Hebrew, טָרַף, _ṭâraph'_):** This primitive root signifies a violent, predatory act of plucking off, pulling to pieces, or devouring, precisely as a wild beast would dismember its prey. It conveys not just injury or harm but total destruction and consumption, leaving nothing whole. The choice of this word emphasizes the brutal, merciless, and annihilating nature of the feared attack, suggesting an irreversible and complete devastation.
* **soul (Hebrew, נֶפֶשׁ, _nep̄eš'_):** In biblical Hebrew, _nep̄eš_ refers to the entire living being, the life force, the person, or the self, rather than merely a spiritual component distinct from the body. It encompasses vitality, breath, and the very essence of existence. Therefore, "tear my soul" implies the complete destruction of David's life, his very existence, not just a spiritual or emotional assault. This makes the threat all the more terrifying and the plea for deliverance profoundly desperate, as it concerns his entire being.
* **deliver (Hebrew, נָצַל, _nâtsal'_):** This primitive root means to snatch away, whether in a good or bad sense, but here it clearly denotes rescue, preservation, or recovery from danger. It implies an active intervention to save someone from being overcome or destroyed. The phrase "none to deliver" highlights David's utter helplessness and the absence of any earthly means of rescue, underscoring that his only hope for salvation from this "lion-like" threat rests solely in divine intervention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Lest he tear my soul like a lion":** This opening clause expresses David's intense, almost anticipatory fear of his adversary, personified as a predatory lion. The simile powerfully conveys the enemy's ferocity, strength, and merciless intent to utterly destroy David's entire being, his very life force, leaving nothing intact. It paints a picture of imminent, brutal annihilation.
* **"rending [it] in pieces":** This phrase intensifies the preceding imagery, emphasizing the gruesome and complete nature of the feared destruction. It suggests a dismemberment so thorough that nothing would remain whole or recognizable, highlighting the absolute devastation David anticipates without divine help. It speaks to a total obliteration of his person.
* **"while [there is] none to deliver":** This final clause underscores David's perceived utter helplessness and isolation in the face of such overwhelming peril. It signifies that all human avenues of escape, defense, or rescue are closed off, leaving him with no earthly hope or recourse. This emphasizes his complete and desperate reliance on God as his sole and ultimate deliverer, the only one capable of intervening.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey David's desperate plight and the overwhelming nature of his perceived threat. The most prominent is the **Simile**, explicitly stated in "tear my soul **like a lion**." This comparison vividly portrays the enemy's ferocity, power, and predatory intent, evoking a primal sense of fear and vulnerability in the reader. The phrase "rending [it] in pieces" uses powerful **Imagery** of dismemberment, intensifying the sense of total destruction and the brutal nature of the threat, painting a gruesome picture of annihilation. Furthermore, the entire expression can be seen as **Hyperbole**, an exaggeration of the danger to underscore the psalmist's profound desperation and the overwhelming nature of his perceived threat. While the enemy is human, attributing the actions of a lion to them can also be seen as a form of **Metaphorical Personification**, imbuing the human adversary with the terrifying, untamed, and destructive characteristics of a wild beast.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 7:2 deeply connects to the biblical understanding of God as the ultimate protector and deliverer in a world fraught with danger and injustice. It highlights the stark reality of human vulnerability in the face of overwhelming evil, whether from human adversaries or spiritual forces. David's desperate plea underscores the profound theological truth that true security and salvation ultimately reside in God alone, especially when all earthly resources and human strength fail. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that even the righteous can face existential threats that feel utterly annihilating, and their hope must be anchored in the sovereign power of a God who hears and delivers. It invites believers to bring their deepest fears and most terrifying circumstances before God, trusting in His unique ability to rescue from even the most "lion-like" dangers, affirming His role as the only true refuge.

* [Psalm 18:2](/psalms/18-2 "Psalm 18:2 - God My Rock and Deliverer")
* [Psalm 22:21](/psalms/22-21 "Psalm 22:21 - Deliverance from the Lion's Mouth")
* [Psalm 34:19](/psalms/34-19 "Psalm 34:19 - Many Are the Afflictions of the Righteous")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's raw and honest expression of fear in Psalms 7:2 offers a profound validation for believers facing their own "lion-like" threats in life. It reminds us that vulnerability is not a sign of weakness but an authentic and often unavoidable part of the human experience, even for those of great faith. In moments when life's adversaries—whether they be spiritual attacks, overwhelming circumstances, malicious people, or even our own internal struggles—feel like they are tearing at our very soul, this psalm grants us permission to voice our deepest anxieties and most terrifying fears to God without reservation. It calls us to humbly acknowledge our inherent helplessness when human strength, wisdom, or resources are utterly insufficient, and to turn with unwavering trust to the only One who can truly deliver. Just as David found his refuge in God when there was "none to deliver," so too are we called to run to Him as our ultimate strong tower, believing that He is capable of rescuing us from even the most ferocious and annihilating dangers, restoring our fragmented lives, and granting us His profound peace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you currently feel most vulnerable, as if a "lion" is threatening to tear you apart or overwhelm you?**
* **How does David's honest expression of fear and helplessness encourage you to bring your own deepest anxieties and desperate circumstances before God?**
* **When you feel there is "none to deliver" or no human solution in sight, how does this verse direct your hope and trust specifically towards God alone?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "lion" imagery in this psalm?**

Answer: The "lion" imagery in Psalms 7:2 is highly significant, representing a powerful, merciless, and utterly destructive adversary. In the ancient Near East, lions were apex predators, evoking primal fear due to their immense strength, ferocity, and terrifying ability to dismember and consume prey. By likening his enemy to a lion, David conveys the extreme, existential danger he faces—a threat of total annihilation, not merely harm or defeat. This metaphor underscores the enemy's brutal intent and the psalmist's complete vulnerability, emphasizing that without divine intervention, the outcome would be a gruesome and inescapable end. This imagery is also used elsewhere in scripture to depict formidable adversaries, including the devil himself, who "prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" in [1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - The Roaring Lion Adversary"), highlighting a universal spiritual danger.

**Why does David emphasize "while there is none to deliver"?**

Answer: This phrase is crucial as it highlights David's complete helplessness and the utter inadequacy of any human or earthly means of rescue. It underscores that he has exhausted all other options or that no such options even exist in the face of such an overwhelming and predatory threat. By stating "none to deliver," David is not merely expressing despair but is also implicitly magnifying the unique power, sovereignty, and faithfulness of God. It sets up a stark contrast: if no human can save him, then God is his sole and ultimate recourse. This emphasis on human inability serves to magnify divine omnipotence and faithfulness as the only true source of deliverance from overwhelming and seemingly inescapable dangers, echoing the sentiment found in [Psalm 121:1-2](/psalms/121-1 "Psalm 121:1-2 - My Help Comes from the Lord"), where the psalmist declares, "My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." It is a declaration of absolute reliance on God alone.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 7:2, with its raw depiction of an innocent one facing a predatory foe and crying out for a deliverer, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While David feared being torn apart by a human adversary, Christ, the truly innocent and perfectly righteous one, willingly subjected Himself to the ultimate "lion"—the power of sin, death, and the spiritual forces of evil. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He experienced an anguish that threatened to "tear His soul" ([Matthew 26:38](/matthew/26-38 "Matthew 26:38 - Jesus' Anguish in Gethsemane")), and on the cross, He endured the full, crushing weight of God's wrath against humanity's sin, crying out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")). In that moment, it truly seemed there was "none to deliver" Him from the crushing weight of humanity's sin and the power of death. Yet, precisely through His suffering and death, Christ entered the mouth of the "lion" (death and the grave) not to be consumed, but to conquer. His glorious resurrection is the ultimate proof that the "roaring lion" of evil ([1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - The Roaring Lion Adversary")) has been decisively defeated, and that all who trust in Him will never be utterly torn apart or left without hope. Christ, our [Good Shepherd](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd"), laid down His life to protect His sheep from every predator, ensuring our eternal deliverance and wholeness through His victorious sacrifice.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 50:22

Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear [you] in pieces, and [there be] none to deliver.

Isaiah 38:13

I reckoned till morning, [that], as a lion, so will he break all my bones: from day [even] to night wilt thou make an end of me.

2 Timothy 4:17

Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and [that] all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

Judges 18:28

And [there was] no deliverer, because it [was] far from Zidon, and they had no business with [any] man; and it was in the valley that [lieth] by Bethrehob. And they built a city, and dwelt therein.

Deuteronomy 33:20

And of Gad he said, Blessed [be] he that enlargeth Gad: he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head.

Psalms 35:15

But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: [yea], the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew [it] not; they did tear [me], and ceased not:

2 Samuel 14:6

And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and [there was] none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him.