16 His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.
16 The trouble they cause recoils on them; their violence comes down on their own heads.
16 His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends.
16 That's what happens: mischief backfires; violence boomerangs.
16 His trouble shall return upon his own head, And his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown.
16 The trouble they make for others backfires on them. The violence they plan falls on their own heads.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 7:16
Commentary on Psalm 7:10-17
(Read Psalm 7:10-17)
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 any should perish. The sinner is described, verses 14-16, as taking more pains to ruin his soul than, if directed aright, would save it. This is true, in a sense, of all sinners. Let us look to the Saviour under all our trials. Blessed Lord, give us grace to look to thee in the path of tribulation, going before thy church and people, and marking the way by thine own spotless example. Under all the persecutions which in our lesser trials mark our way, let the looking to Jesus animate our minds and comfort our hearts.