Psalms7

Psalm 7 is a fervent prayer of David seeking deliverance and vindication from his persecutors, specifically concerning Cush the Benjamite. David appeals to God's justice, asserting his own innocence and asking God to judge him according to his integrity. The psalm concludes with a declaration of God's righteous judgment against the wicked and David's resolve to praise the Lord.
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A Prayer of Deliverance and Trust

1
O Jehovah my God, in thee do I take refuge: Save me from all them that pursue me, and deliver me, ​
2
Lest they tear my soul like a lion, Rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.

David's Oath of Innocence

3
O Jehovah 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 was mine adversary);
5
Let the enemy pursue my soul, and overtake it; Yea, let him tread my life down to the earth, And lay my glory in the dust. [Selah

Calling on God to Rise as Judge

6
Arise, O Jehovah, in thine anger; Lift up thyself against the rage of mine adversaries, And awake for me; thou hast commanded judgment. ​
7
And let the congregation of the peoples compass thee about; And over them return thou on high.
8
Jehovah ministereth judgment to the peoples: Judge me, O Jehovah, according to my righteousness, and to mine integrity that is in me.
9
Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish thou the righteous: For the righteous God trieth the minds and hearts. ​
10
My shield is with God, Who saveth the upright in heart.

The Certainty of Divine Judgment

11
God is a righteous judge, Yea, a God that hath indignation every day. ​
12
If a man 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 maketh his arrows fiery shafts.
14
Behold, he travaileth with iniquity; Yea, he hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. ​
15
He hath 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 violence shall come down upon his own pate.

Vow of Thanksgiving

17
I will give thanks unto Jehovah according to his righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of Jehovah Most High.

Study Notes for Psalms 7

Verse 1

The superscription identifies this as a 'Shiggaion' (a highly emotional, perhaps irregular song) related to an unknown enemy, Cush the Benjamite. Placing trust (refuge) in God is the foundation of the psalm, asserting faith even amidst intense persecution.

Verse 3

Verses 3-5 form a conditional self-imprecation, a solemn oath common in ancient Near Eastern legal settings. David asserts his innocence regarding the charges against him, inviting divine punishment if he has committed the alleged evil.

Verse 6

The phrase 'Arise, O LORD' is a liturgical and military summons, urging God to manifest his power and act decisively. David requests God to take the judgment seat and execute the justice that He has decreed for the world.

Verse 9

The psalmist appeals to God as the righteous judge who 'trieth the hearts and reins' (the kidneys). In Hebrew thought, the heart was the seat of the will and intellect, while the reins (kidneys) represented the deepest emotions and conscience.

Verse 11

This verse affirms God's constant engagement with justice. The statement that God 'is angry with the wicked every day' emphasizes that God's moral opposition to sin is continuous, not just reserved for moments of ultimate judgment.

Verse 14

The imagery shifts to the wicked actively conceiving and giving birth to evil, illustrating the destructive effort they put into their schemes. This emphasizes the intentionality behind their mischief.

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