¶ 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:
Shiggaion {H7692} of David {H1732}, which he sang {H7891} unto the LORD {H3068}, concerning the words {H1697} of Cush {H3568} the Benjamite {H1121}{H1145}. O LORD {H3068} my God {H430}, in thee do I put my trust {H2620}: save {H3467} me from all them that persecute {H7291} me, and deliver {H5337} me:
A shiggayon of David, which he sang to ADONAI because of Kush the Ben-Y'mini: ADONAI my God, in you I take refuge. Save me from all my pursuers, and rescue me;
O LORD my God, I take refuge in You; save me and deliver me from all my pursuers,
O Jehovah my God, in thee do I take refuge: Save me from all them that pursue me, and deliver me,
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Psalms 31:15
My times [are] in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. -
Habakkuk 3:1
¶ A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth. -
1 Peter 4:19
Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls [to him] in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. -
Jeremiah 15:15
¶ O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke. -
Jeremiah 20:11
But the LORD [is] with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: [their] everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten. -
Psalms 43:4
Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God. -
Psalms 17:7
Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust [in thee] from those that rise up [against them].
Psalm 7:1 serves as the superscription and opening declaration of a passionate prayer by David, setting the stage for a psalm that blends lament, an appeal for justice, and a profound declaration of trust in God amidst false accusations and persecution.
Context
The heading, "Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the LORD, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite," provides crucial context. The term "Shiggaion" (Hebrew: שִׁגָּיוֹן, shiggaion) is unique and its exact meaning is debated, often interpreted as a "wandering song," a "passionate lament," or a song of emotional upheaval, reflecting the tumultuous circumstances David faced. "Cush the Benjamite" is not explicitly identified elsewhere in Scripture, leading to various interpretations. He could be a literal individual, perhaps a slanderer from King Saul's tribe of Benjamin, or a symbolic figure representing the malicious and treacherous enemies David frequently encountered, such as King Saul's relentless pursuit or the betrayal by Ahithophel during Absalom's rebellion. Regardless of Cush's precise identity, the verse immediately establishes David's state: under severe persecution and slander.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The opening phrase, "O LORD my God" (Hebrew: יְהוָה אֱלֹהַי, Yahweh Elohim), underscores the personal and covenantal nature of David's relationship with the divine. It's a cry of intimate dependence. The word for "trust" is chasah (חָסָה), which means to flee for refuge, to seek shelter, or to confide in. This conveys a sense of taking cover under God's protection, like a bird under its mother's wings. The twin appeals "save me" (yasha, יָשַׁע) and "deliver me" (natsal, נָצַל) both convey the idea of being rescued, snatched away from danger, or set free from oppression.
Practical Application
Psalm 7:1 offers a timeless model for believers facing adversity, false accusations, or persecution. It teaches us to: