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.

A Prayer of Deliverance and Trust

1
LORD, my God, I take refuge in you. Save me from all those who pursue me, and deliver me, ​
2
lest they tear apart my soul like a lion, ripping it in pieces, while there is no one to deliver.

David's Oath of Innocence

3
LORD, my God, if I have done this, if there is iniquity in my hands, ​
4
if I have rewarded evil to him who was at peace with me (yes, if I have delivered him who without cause was my adversary),
5
let the enemy pursue my soul, and overtake it; yes, 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, LORD, in your anger. Lift up yourself against the rage of my adversaries. Awake for me. You have commanded judgment. ​
7
Let the congregation of the peoples surround you. Rule over them on high.
8
The LORD administers judgment to the peoples. Judge me, LORD, according to my righteousness, and to my integrity that is in me.
9
Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous; their minds and hearts are searched by the righteous God. ​
10
My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart.

The Certainty of Divine Judgment

11
God is a righteous judge, yes, a God who has indignation every day. ​
12
If a man doesn’t relent, he will sharpen his sword; he has bent and strung his bow.
13
He has also prepared for himself the instruments of death. He makes ready his flaming arrows.
14
Behold, he travails with iniquity. Yes, he has conceived mischief, and brought out falsehood. ​
15
He has dug a hole, and has fallen into the pit which he made.
16
The trouble he causes shall return to his own head. His violence shall come down on the crown of his own head.

Vow of Thanksgiving

17
I will give thanks to the LORD according to his righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the LORD 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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