Psa 7:2 | NETfull | STEP | Otherwise they will rip me to shreds like a lion; they will tear me to bits and no one will be able to rescue me.

Psalms 7:2

2 Otherwise they will rip ^{▼▼ The verb is singular in the Hebrew text, even though “all who chase me” in v. 1 refers to a whole group of enemies. The singular is also used in vv. 4–5, but the psalmist returns to the plural in v. 6. The singular is probably collective, emphasizing the united front that the psalmist’s enemies present. This same alternation between a collective singular and a plural referring to enemies appears in Pss 9:3, 6; 13:4; 31:4, 8; 41:6, 10–11; 42:9–10; 55:3; 64:1–2; 74:3–4; 89:22–23; 106:10–11; 143:3, 6, 9.} me ^{▼▼ Heb “my life.” The pronominal suffix attached to נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh) is equivalent to a personal pronoun. See Ps 6:3.} to shreds like a lion;
they will tear me to bits and no one will be able to rescue me. ^{▼▼ Heb “tearing and there is no one rescuing.” The verbal form translated “tearing” is a singular active participle.}