A Study in Psalms Chapter 7

1 ¶ <<Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the LORD, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite.>> O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:

• a shiggaion is a song or psalm – the word is found only here and in Hab 3:1

• Cush the Benjamite – an enemy of David – possibly a relative of Saul

• a prayer in time of persecution and great danger

• Note that the prayer starts out by honouring God: “in thee do I put my trust” - we must trust God through his Son, Jesus Christ, BEFORE we pray – praying for anything without first trusting Jesus Christ as our Saviour is an abomination to God and he will not answer “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” Prov.28:9 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

• the beginning of the request – save me from persecution

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

• destruction of person – harm to the body short of death can heal, but destruction of what makes us who we are is devastating and very hard to repair

3 O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;

4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)

• David was being falsely accused of doing evil

5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.

• “If I have done this evil that I am accused of, then let me be destroyed.”

6 Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.

• David prays that God will judge justly against those who falsely accuse him and thereby blaspheme against God: lying is blasphemy because it contradicts the truth, and in this case even more so because David was God's anointed

7 So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.

• It should be our desire that the judgments of God bring glory to Him – not that we be avenged

8 The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.

• God is the righteous judge; we cannot stand the judgment of God on our own, but when we trust in Jesus Christ as our Saviour, thereby putting on His righteousness and integrity, we can stand before God with confidence

9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.

• The prayer of the righteous: let wickedness (anything contrary to God) end and let righteousness abound

10 ¶ My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.

• God is our strength, our strong defender and Saviour of all who trust him: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Eph 6:10

11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.

• God alone is the righteous judge: those who would judge his children are judging the blood of Christ; he is angry with wickedness always – one day his wrath will be poured out on the wicked – it is only because of his great love for mankind that he has waited so long, giving all human beings the opportunity to trust Jesus Christ as their Saviour “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” Jn 3:36

12 If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.

13 He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.

• If the wicked will not turn, the wrath of God will come against him and there will be no escape

14 Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.

15 He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.

16 His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.

• The wicked bring wrath and destruction on their own heads. God has done everything and waited patiently for all men to be saved and has left no excuse for the wicked – their wickedness will fall on their own heads “ For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” Ro 1:20

17 I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high