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Commentary on Psalms 7 verses 10–17
David having lodged his appeal with God by prayer and a solemn profession of his integrity, in the former part of the psalm, in this latter part does, as it were, take out judgment upon the appeal, by faith in the word of God, and the assurance it gives of the happiness and safety of the righteous and the certain destruction of wicked people that continue impenitent.
I. David is confident that he shall find God his powerful protector and Saviour, and the patron of his oppressed innocency (Psa 7:10): "My defence is of God. Not only, God is my defender, and I shall find him so; but I look for defence and safety in no other; my hope for shelter in a time of danger is placed in God alone; if I have defence, it must be of God." My shield is upon God (so some read it); there is that in God which gives an assurance of protection to all that are his. His name is a strong tower, Pro 18:10. Two things David builds this confidence upon: - 1. The particular favour God has for all that are sincere: He saves the upright in heart, saves them with an everlasting salvation, and therefore will preserve them to his heavenly kingdom; he saves them out of their present troubles, as far as is good for them; their integrity and uprightness will preserve them. The upright in heart are safe, and ought to think themselves so, under the divine protection. 2. The general respect he has for justice and equity: God judgeth the righteous; he owns every righteous cause, and will maintain it in every righteous man, and will protect him. God is a righteous Judge (so some read it), who not only doeth righteousness himself, but will take care that righteousness be done by the children of men and will avenge and punish all unrighteousness.
II. He is no less confident of the destruction of all his persecutors, even as many of them as would not repent, to give glory to God. He reads their doom here, for their good, if possible, that they might cease from their enmity, or, however, for his own comfort, that he might not be afraid of them nor aggrieved at their prosperity and success for a time. He goes into the sanctuary of God, and there understands,
1.That they are children of wrath. They are not to be envied, for God is angry with them, is angry with the wicked every day. They are every day doing that which is provoking to him, and he resents it, and treasures it up against the day of wrath. As his mercies are new every morning towards his people, so his anger is new every morning against the wicked, upon the fresh occasions given for it by their renewed transgressions. God is angry with the wicked even in the merriest and most prosperous of their days, even in the days of their devotion; for, if they be suffered to prosper, it is in wrath; if they pray, their very prayers are an abomination. The wrath of God abides upon them (Joh 3:36) and continual additions are made to it.
2.That they are children of death, as all the children of wrath are, sons of perdition, marked out for ruin. See their destruction.
(1.)God will destroy them. The destruction they are reserved for is destruction from the Almighty, which ought to be a terror to every one of us, for it comes from the wrath of God, Psa 7:13, Psa 7:14. It is here intimated, [1.] That the destruction of sinners may be prevented by their conversion, for it is threatened with that proviso: If he turn not from his evil way, if he do not let fall his enmity against the people of God, then let him expect it will be his ruin; but, if he turn, it is implied that his sin shall be pardoned and all shall be well. Thus even the threatenings of wrath are introduced with a gracious implication of mercy, enough to justify God for ever in the destruction of those that perish; they might have turned and lived, but they chose rather to go on and die and their blood is therefore upon their own heads. [2.] That, if it be not thus prevented by the conversion of the sinner, it will be prepared for him by the justice of God. In general (Psa 7:13), He has prepared for him the instruments of death, of all that death which is the wages of sin. If God will slay, he will not want instruments of death for any creature; even the least and weakest may be made so when he pleases. First, Here is variety of instruments, all which breathe threatenings and slaughter. Here is a sword, which wounds and kills at hand, a bow and arrows, which wound and kill at a distance those who think to get out of the reach of God's vindictive justice. If the sinner flees from the iron weapon, yet the bow of steel shall strike him through, Job 20:24. Secondly, These instruments of death are all said to be made ready. God has them not to seek, but always at hand. Judgments are prepared for scorners. Tophet is prepared of old. Thirdly, While God is preparing his instruments of death, he gives the sinners timely warning of their danger, and space to repent and prevent it. He is slow to punish, and long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish. Fourthly, The longer the destruction is delayed, to give time for repentance, the sorer will it be and the heavier will it fall and lie for ever if that time be not so improved; while God is waiting the sword is in the whetting and the bow in the drawing. Fifthly, The destruction of impenitent sinners, though it come slowly, yet comes surely; for it is ordained, they are of old ordained to it. Sixthly, Of all sinners persecutors are set up as the fairest marks of divine wrath; against them, more than any other, God has ordained his arrows. They set God at defiance, but cannot set themselves out of the reach of his judgments.
(2.)They will destroy themselves, Psa 7:14-16. The sinner is here described as taking a great deal of pains to ruin himself, more pains to damn his soul than, if directed aright, would save it. His conduct is described, [1.] By the pains of a labouring woman that brings forth a false conception, Psa 7:14. The sinner's head with its politics conceives mischief, contrives it with a great deal of art, lays the plot deep, and keeps it close; the sinner's heart with its passions travails with iniquity, and is in pain to be delivered of the malicious projects it is hatching against the people of God. But what does it come to when it comes to the birth? It is falsehood; it is a cheat upon himself; it is a lie in his right hand. He cannot compass what he intended, nor, if he gain his point, will he gain the satisfaction he promised himself. He brings forth wind (Isa 26:18), stubble (Isa 33:11), death (Jam 1:15), that is, falsehood. [2.] By the pains of a labouring man that works hard to dig a pit, and then falls into it and perishes in it. First, This is true, in a sense of all sinners. They prepare destruction for themselves by preparing themselves for destruction, loading themselves with guilt and submitting themselves to their corruptions. Secondly, It is often remarkably true of those who contrive mischief against the people of God or against their neighbours; by the righteous hand of God it is made to return upon their own heads. What they designed for the shame and destruction of others proves to be their own confusion.
- Nec lex est jusitior ulla
Quam necis artifices arte perire sua -
There is not a juster law than that the author
of a murderous contrivance shall perish by it.
Some apply it to Saul, who fell upon his sword.
In singing this psalm we must do as David here does (Psa 7:17), praise the Lord according to his righteousness, that is, give him the glory of that gracious protection under which he takes his afflicted people and of that just vengeance with which he will pursue those that afflict them. Thus we must sing to the praise of the Lord most high, who, when his enemies deal proudly, shows that he is above them.
Just as men who are polishing up their arms indicate by this action the attack in war, so Scripture, wishing to bespeak a movement of God toward vengeance, says that he polishes his sword. “He has bent his bow.” … There is no bowstring that stretches the bow of God, but a punitive power, now strained tight, again loosened. Scripture threatens the sinner that future punishments are prepared for him, if he remains in his sin.
That same adversary, Absalom, as if he has been born again from ourselves, prepares the war against us. Our sound judgment concerning the matter, or rather our alliance with God, turns him who is bloodthirsty against us back. For because he attributes the cause of the good things that have been accomplished for him through “the words of Cush” to God, he composes this thanksgiving.… It would be worthwhile to apply the figures of the story to the virtuous life, how the advice that saves us becomes the strangling of the adversary; and this saving advice has been recorded, on the one hand, in the history, and on the other, in the psalm.
The ones who are burning are those who have received the flaming arrows of the devil.
Many maintain that these words of the psalm refer to the devil; they mean, unless you will have been converted, unless you will have repented, you will be in the power of the devil. “He will bend and aim his bow.” The devil always has his bow ready, and he is ever alert to shoot his arrows and strike us down.… They whose hearts are burning with lust and passion are the very ones whom the devil conquers.… The psalm did not say for those who are about to burn—that is, about to burn from his arrows. The hearts of those he sees already burning, no matter whose they are, are his target.
"Unless ye be converted," He says, "He will brandish His sword" [Psalm 7:12]. The Lord Man Himself may be taken to be God's double-edged sword, that is, His spear, which at His first coming He will not brandish, but hides as it were in the sheath of humiliation: but He will brandish it, when at the second coming to judge the quick and dead, in the manifest splendour of His glory, He shall flash light on His righteous ones, and terror on the ungodly. For in other copies, instead of, "He shall brandish His sword," it has been written, "He shall make bright His spear:" by which word I think the last coming of the Lord's glory most appropriately signified: seeing that is understood of His person, which another Psalm has, "Deliver, O Lord, my soul from the ungodly, Your spear from the enemies of Your hand. He has bent His bow, and made it ready." The tenses of the words must not be altogether overlooked, how he has spoken of "the sword" in the future, "He will brandish;" of "the bow" in the past, "He has bent:" and these words of the past tense follow after.
These are not words of punishment, note, but of threat: he said wield, not inflict; bent his bow, not fired the arrow. And to teach us against whom he will fire the arrows, he immediately attached the words “he made his arrows into flaming shafts,” that is, those taking combustible material of sin, building with wood, hay and stubble, as the divine apostle says, will be struck with these fiery arrows.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 7:12 vividly portrays the divine readiness for judgment against those who persistently refuse to repent. Through the powerful metaphor of a warrior sharpening his sword and bending his bow, the verse underscores God's active preparation to execute justice, signaling that His infinite patience is not without limit when confronted with unyielding wickedness and rebellion. It serves as a solemn warning that continued impenitence will inevitably lead to decisive divine action.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 7:12 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is Metaphor, where God is depicted as a warrior preparing for battle, using the human actions of "whetting his sword" and "bending his bow." These actions are applied to God to illustrate His readiness and certainty in executing judgment, making an abstract concept of divine justice tangible and impactful. Closely related is Anthropomorphism, the attribution of human characteristics or actions to God. While God does not literally possess a sword or bow, this imagery helps the human mind grasp His active, personal role in upholding justice. The verse also features a Conditional Clause ("If he turn not"), which highlights the crucial element of human choice and responsibility in the face of divine justice. This structure emphasizes that judgment is not arbitrary but a direct consequence of persistent impenitence, offering a window of opportunity for repentance before the inevitable. The Parallelism between "whetting his sword" and "bending his bow" reinforces the idea of comprehensive preparation for judgment.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 7:12 profoundly speaks to the dual nature of God's character: His boundless patience and His unwavering justice. It reveals that while God is "slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love" (Psalms 103:8), His patience is not an endorsement of sin or an indication of indifference. The "turning" or repentance is the critical hinge; without it, divine judgment is certain and prepared. This verse underscores the biblical principle of sowing and reaping, where unrepentant wickedness inevitably incurs divine retribution. It serves as a stark reminder that God is not mocked and will ultimately uphold His righteousness in the earth, ensuring that justice prevails for the oppressed and judgment for the oppressor.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 7:12 offers a sobering yet ultimately comforting message for believers and a profound warning for all humanity. For those who walk in righteousness and seek to honor God, it provides deep assurance that God is actively engaged in the affairs of humanity, and that injustice will not prevail indefinitely. It reminds us that our God is a righteous judge who will ultimately set all wrongs right, offering solace in times of persecution or when facing unpunished evil. For those who may be living in unrepentant sin, it stands as a solemn and urgent call to introspection and repentance. The vivid imagery of God's prepared weapons should not instill paralyzing fear in those who sincerely seek Him, but rather a healthy reverence for His holiness and justice, inspiring a sincere desire to align one's life with His perfect will. Understanding God's readiness to execute justice should motivate us to live lives marked by humility, obedience, and a deep appreciation for His boundless mercy, which continually invites us to "turn" to Him and find forgiveness and new life.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Is this verse saying God is eager to punish?
Answer: No, the verse does not imply eagerness for punishment but rather a solemn and certain readiness for it. The conditional phrase "If he turn not" highlights God's patience and His desire for repentance. God's default posture is one of grace and forbearance, giving ample opportunity for the wicked to change their ways. However, if that opportunity is continually rejected and unrepentance persists, then judgment becomes inevitable. The imagery emphasizes the certainty and effectiveness of divine justice when it is finally executed, not a zealous desire for it, but a necessary consequence of unyielding rebellion.
Who is "he" in "If he turn not"?
Answer: The "he" refers to the wicked person or group who is the subject of God's impending judgment. In the immediate context of Psalm 7, it specifically refers to David's adversaries, such as "Cush the Benjamite" mentioned in Psalms 7:1. More broadly, it refers to any individual or entity that stubbornly persists in wickedness and refuses to turn from their sinful ways, despite God's patience and warnings. This principle applies universally to all who reject God's call to repentance.
How does God "whet His sword" or "bend His bow" today?
Answer: While the imagery is metaphorical and rooted in ancient warfare, the underlying principle of divine justice remains constant. Today, God's "whetting His sword" can manifest in various ways: through the natural, often painful, consequences of sin (e.g., Galatians 6:7), through spiritual discipline that brings conviction and correction to His children (e.g., Hebrews 12:5-11), or through the unfolding of historical events that bring about justice and accountability on a societal or national level. Ultimately, this verse points forward to the certainty of future eschatological judgment, where Christ will return as the righteous judge to bring final and perfect justice to the earth (e.g., Revelation 19:11-16).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 7:12 finds its ultimate fulfillment and most profound meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament depicts God as the Divine Warrior preparing for judgment, the New Testament reveals Jesus as the one to whom all judgment has been committed by the Father (John 5:22). His first advent, however, was not primarily to "whet His sword" for immediate judgment but to offer salvation and extend grace, thereby providing the very means for humanity to "turn" through His atoning sacrifice (John 3:17). He came to call sinners to repentance, proclaiming, "Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). Yet, the imagery of divine judgment is not absent from the New Testament's portrayal of Christ. He is depicted as the one from whose mouth comes a "sharp two-edged sword" (Revelation 1:16), symbolizing the penetrating power and ultimate authority of His word to judge. His second coming will be as the righteous judge, not primarily as the suffering servant, to execute justice upon those who have persistently refused to "turn" and believe in Him (Revelation 19:11-16). Thus, Psalms 7:12 powerfully foreshadows the dual reality of Christ: the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world for all who repent and believe (John 1:29), and the Lion of Judah who will execute righteous judgment on the unrepentant (Revelation 5:5).