Psalms 56:7

KJV

Shall they escape by iniquity? in [thine] anger cast down the people, O God.

KJV (with Strong's)

Shall they escape {H6405} by iniquity {H205}? in thine anger {H639} cast down {H3381}{H8685)} the people {H5971}, O God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Because of their crime, they cannot escape; in anger, God, strike down the peoples.

Berean Standard Bible

In spite of such sin, will they escape? In Your anger, O God, cast down the nations.

American Standard Version

Shall they escape by iniquity? In anger cast down the peoples, O God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 56:7 is a fervent and rhetorical cry from David, expressing his conviction that the wicked cannot ultimately escape divine judgment for their iniquity. Situated within a psalm of lament and trust, this verse articulates David's profound desire for God, in His righteous anger, to decisively humble and overthrow those who relentlessly persecute him. It underscores the psalmist's unwavering belief in God's active justice and His commitment to vindicate the righteous, even when surrounded by overwhelming opposition and apparent impunity of the wicked.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 56 is categorized as a "Michtam of David," a type of psalm often associated with deep personal distress and profound trust in God. It is a lament psalm, beginning with a desperate plea for mercy as David faces relentless oppression from his enemies ([Psalms 56:1-2](/psalms/56-1 "Psalms 56:1-2 - David's Plea for Mercy")). Throughout the psalm, David describes his enemies' constant pursuit, their twisting of his words, and their malicious plotting against him ([Psalms 56:5-6](/psalms/56-5 "Psalms 56:5-6 - Enemies' Malice and Deceit")). Verse 7 serves as a pivotal turning point, transitioning from a description of his plight to a direct, impassioned appeal for God's intervention and judgment against these adversaries. The psalm then moves towards an expression of confident trust and a vow of praise, anticipating God's deliverance ([Psalms 56:8-13](/psalms/56-8 "Psalms 56:8-13 - David's Trust and Vow")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The superscription of Psalm 56 explicitly links it to a desperate period in David's life: "when the Philistines took him in Gath." This refers to the account in [1 Samuel 21:10](/1_samuel/21-10 "1 Samuel 21:10 - David's Flight to Gath"), where David, a fugitive from King Saul, sought refuge among the Philistines, Israel's traditional enemies. His situation was precarious; he was a hunted man in foreign territory, surrounded by those who recognized him and sought his capture or death. Culturally, the ancient Near East had a strong understanding of divine justice, where gods were expected to intervene in human affairs to uphold righteousness and punish wrongdoing. David's prayer reflects this cultural expectation, appealing to Yahweh, the righteous Judge, to act on behalf of His covenant servant against his oppressive foes.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the psalm and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**, asserting that God is not indifferent to human wickedness and that true iniquity will not ultimately escape judgment. David's rhetorical question challenges the apparent impunity of his oppressors, appealing to God's inherent righteousness. Secondly, it underscores **God's Sovereign Anger**, acknowledging that God's wrath is a holy and just response to sin and injustice, distinct from human vengeance, and that He possesses the ultimate power to execute judgment. Finally, implicit in David's fervent plea is the theme of the **Vindication of the Righteous**. He desires God to demonstrate His unwavering care for those who trust in Him, proving His faithfulness by delivering His servant and bringing down his persecutors, thereby affirming His covenant promises and the ultimate triumph of good over evil, as seen in other psalms of trust like [Psalm 37](/psalms/37 "Psalm 37 - The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Iniquity (Hebrew, _ʼāwen'_):** This word carries strong connotations beyond mere wrongdoing. It signifies active wickedness, trouble, sorrow, vanity, and specifically denotes intentional harm, deceit, and moral perversion. It implies a deliberate turning away from righteousness, often leading to destructive consequences. David's use of "iniquity" here emphasizes the profound moral corruption and active malevolence of his persecutors.
* **Cast down (Hebrew, _yārād'_):** Derived from a verb meaning "to descend" or "to bring down," this term signifies a decisive and powerful act of humbling, overthrowing, or destroying. When applied to God's action, it denotes His sovereign power to bring about a definitive end to the wicked's power and influence, signifying judgment and defeat.
* **People (Hebrew, _lĕʼōm'_):** While "people" can be a general term, in this context, _lĕʼōm_ often refers to nations or peoples, particularly those hostile to God's covenant people. Here, it specifically denotes David's adversaries, the collective body of those who are actively perpetrating "iniquity" against him, likely referring to the Philistines and any others who sought his harm.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Shall they escape by iniquity?":** This is a powerful rhetorical question, expressing David's anguish, outrage, and conviction. It serves as a fervent plea to God, challenging the apparent impunity of his oppressors. David is essentially asking, "Is it truly possible that those who commit such profound wickedness will go unpunished?" The question anticipates a resounding "No" from God, affirming the psalmist's belief in divine justice and the ultimate accountability for sin.
* **"in thine anger cast down the people, O God.":** This clause transitions from a rhetorical question to a direct, impassioned petition for divine intervention. David calls upon God's righteous wrath—His holy and just indignation against sin—to decisively humble, overthrow, and destroy "the people," his oppressors. This is not a call for personal vengeance but an appeal to God as the supreme Judge to execute cosmic justice, demonstrating His sovereignty and upholding His righteousness against those who practice iniquity.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 56:7 employs several potent literary devices to convey David's fervent plea and theological conviction. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Shall they escape by iniquity?". This question is not meant to be answered by the psalmist, but rather to engage the reader and listener, highlighting the profound injustice and absurdity of the wicked prospering without consequence. It intensifies the emotional weight of David's prayer and underscores his unwavering belief that such impunity is ultimately impossible under a righteous God. The direct address to God, "O God," exemplifies **Apostrophe**, emphasizing the psalmist's personal relationship with the Divine and his complete reliance on God's intervention. Furthermore, the use of the **Imperative Mood** in "cast down" reflects the urgency and intensity of David's petition, a fervent command/request for God's immediate and decisive action. Finally, there is an implied **Antithetical Parallelism** between the initial question and the subsequent petition: the question of the wicked *escaping* by iniquity is contrasted with the desired outcome of God *casting them down*, highlighting the tension between human injustice and the certainty of divine judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The core theological message of Psalms 56:7 is the unwavering certainty of God's justice. David's plea is rooted in the biblical truth that God is not indifferent to sin and that iniquity, though it may seem to prosper for a time, will ultimately face divine retribution. This verse affirms God's active role as the righteous Judge of all the earth, who will not allow evil to prevail indefinitely. It provides comfort and hope to those who suffer injustice, assuring them that their cries are heard and that God will act in His perfect timing to bring about justice and vindicate His faithful ones. This divine justice is not arbitrary but flows from God's holy character and His commitment to uphold righteousness in His creation.

* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine, I Will Repay, says the Lord")
* [Psalm 37:7](/psalms/37-7 "Psalm 37:7 - Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him")
* [Nahum 1:3](/nahum/1-3 "Nahum 1:3 - The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will not at all acquit the wicked")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 56:7 offers profound lessons for believers navigating a world often marked by injustice and the apparent prosperity of the wicked. When we face betrayal, persecution, or simply the frustration of seeing evil seemingly go unpunished, David's fervent prayer reminds us that God sees, hears, and will ultimately act. This verse encourages us to bring our pleas for justice directly to God, trusting in His perfect timing and righteous judgment rather than seeking personal retribution. It fosters a deep confidence in God's sovereignty, knowing that no iniquity will ultimately escape His notice or His just response. While we are called to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, this does not negate the biblical truth that God is a God of justice who will ultimately set all wrongs right. Our task is to patiently endure, to pray, and to trust that God's ultimate vindication will come, whether in this life or in the age to come.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's plea for justice resonate with your own experiences of injustice, and how do you typically respond when you feel wronged?**
* **In what ways does this verse encourage you to trust God's ultimate sovereignty and justice, even when evil seems to prevail or when consequences are not immediately apparent?**
* **How can we balance a desire for divine justice with the New Testament call to love our enemies and leave vengeance to God, as taught in passages like [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine, I Will Repay")?**

### FAQ
**Is David's prayer for God to "cast down the people" a call for personal vengeance?**

Answer: No, David's prayer is not a call for personal vengeance in the sense of him taking matters into his own hands. Instead, it is a fervent plea for divine justice, acknowledging God's role as the ultimate and righteous Judge. David is appealing to God's character and authority to bring about what is right. The Bible consistently teaches believers to leave vengeance to the Lord, as articulated in [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine, I Will Repay, says the Lord"), because only God possesses the perfect knowledge, wisdom, and power to execute true and just retribution.

**Does this verse imply that the wicked will always face immediate consequences for their actions?**

Answer: While Psalms 56:7 expresses a strong conviction that the wicked will *not* ultimately escape, it does not necessarily imply immediate consequences in every instance. The psalmist's anguish often stems from the *apparent* impunity of the wicked. The verse is a prayer for God to act, reinforcing the truth that divine justice is certain, even if its timing is not always immediate or discernible to human eyes. Other psalms, such as [Psalm 73](/psalms/73 "Psalm 73 - The Problem of Evil"), grapple with the temporary prosperity of the wicked, ultimately concluding that their end is destruction, even if it is delayed.

**Who are "the people" David refers to in this verse?**

Answer: In this specific context, "the people" (Hebrew _lĕʼōm_) refers to David's immediate oppressors and adversaries. Given the superscription of Psalm 56, which links it to David's capture by the Philistines in Gath ([1 Samuel 21:10](/1_samuel/21-10 "1 Samuel 21:10 - David's Flight to Gath")), "the people" primarily refers to these foreign enemies who sought his harm. By extension, it can also encompass any collective group or individuals who actively perpetuated "iniquity" against David, including those who twisted his words and plotted his downfall, as described in earlier verses of the psalm.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 56:7 finds its ultimate fulfillment and reinterpretation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While David cries out for God to "cast down the people" who act with "iniquity," Jesus, the perfectly righteous one, suffered the ultimate iniquity at the hands of humanity. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - He was Oppressed and Afflicted")). Instead of calling down fire or demanding vengeance, He prayed for His persecutors, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" ([Luke 23:34](/luke/23-34 "Luke 23:34 - Father, Forgive Them")). The cross, the epitome of human iniquity against divine innocence, became the means by which God's ultimate justice and salvation were accomplished. Through Christ's sacrifice, the power of sin and death was decisively "cast down," and a path to reconciliation was opened. Furthermore, Jesus is the one who will ultimately execute God's righteous anger, not against a specific "people" but against all unrighteousness, at His glorious return. He will come as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, to judge and to make war in righteousness, finally "casting down" every opposing force and establishing His eternal kingdom of justice and peace ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ's Triumphant Return")). Thus, the believer's vindication and the final defeat of all iniquity are secured, not by our pleas for immediate retribution, but by Christ's finished work and His promised return, assuring us that God's justice will ultimately prevail.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 55:23

But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

Psalms 55:15

Let death seize upon them, [and] let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness [is] in their dwellings, [and] among them.

Isaiah 28:15

Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:

Jeremiah 10:25

Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.

Jeremiah 18:19

Give heed to me, O LORD, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me.

Jeremiah 18:23

Yet, LORD, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slay [me]: forgive not their iniquity, neither blot out their sin from thy sight, but let them be overthrown before thee; deal [thus] with them in the time of thine anger.

Psalms 94:20

Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?