Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 7:16

"His mischief shall return upon his own head, And his violence shall come down upon his own pate." — Psalms 7:16 (ASV)

His mischief - The mischief that he had designed for others.

Shall return upon his own head - It shall come upon himself. The blow that he aimed at others shall recoil on himself. This is only stating in another form the sentiment that had been expressed in the two previous verses. The language used here has a somewhat proverbial quality and was perhaps common in the writer's time to express this idea.

And his violent dealing - This refers to the violence that he shows to others. The term translated 'violent dealing' means violence, injustice, oppression, or wrong.

Shall all come down upon his own pate - The word translated here as “pate” properly means vertex, top, or crown—that is, of the head. The idea is that it would fall upon himself. He would be treated as he had intended to treat others. The sentiment expressed here is also found in Psalms 9:15; Psalms 35:8; and Psalms 37:15. Compare Eurip. Med. 409, and Lucretius v. 1151.