A meditation on forgiveness inspired by Psalm 7.

Save me from my enemies, Lord!

My foes chase me like hungry lions,

eager to shred my flesh and devour me.

You are my refuge, Almighty One.

Give me justice because of my righteousness.

For if I am guilty of wicked deeds—

if I have injured the innocent

or lied to my friends

or stolen from the weak—

then my enemies would be right to buckle my knees and bring me down,

to spill my blood and smear my reputation

until I am a foul smell in my community.

Wake up, Lord, and get angry on my behalf!

Vanquish these enemies once and for all!

For you love justice and cannot abide evil.

Your people gather around you,

waiting for the day when you make the wicked disappear,

longing for your righteous rule.

Come with your sword and your deadly bow!

Take aim at these dogs who give me no peace,

who snap at my heels and hide around corners,

plotting evil against your righteous one.

O my Shepherd, my Loving One,

you turn my gaze inward,

to see the foes I fear

prowling in the shadows of my own heart.

When I am weak, they grow bold;

they conceive wicked plans

and give birth to treachery and deceit.

Despite my good intentions,

they lay traps for me,

digging pits into which I fall,

making trouble that comes back on my own head.

The secret violence of my heart

lashes others with angry words

and cripples relationships I care for.

Save me from myself, O my God!

Hide me in your righteousness,

for I am low and pitiable.

I will sing praises to you for the blood of Jesus

that covers my deepest sins,

that washes me clean

and makes me a sweet aroma in your courts.