Psalms 7:3

KJV

O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;

KJV (with Strong's)

O LORD {H3068} my God {H430}, if I have done {H6213} this; if there be {H3426} iniquity {H5766} in my hands {H3709};

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI my God, if I have caused this, if there is guilt on my hands,

Berean Standard Bible

O LORD my God, if I have done this, if injustice is on my hands,

American Standard Version

O Jehovah my God, if I have done this; If there be iniquity in my hands;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 7:3 is a profound declaration of innocence by King David, directly addressing God amidst grave accusations of wrongdoing. This verse serves as the foundational premise of his fervent prayer, where he appeals to the Almighty as his ultimate, righteous Judge, seeking divine vindication and justice against the specific charges leveled by his adversaries. It underscores David's deep trust in God's omniscience and his commitment to integrity, even when facing slander.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 7 is uniquely designated as a "Shiggaion of David," a term believed to denote a passionate, wandering, or perhaps highly emotional and irregular song, reflecting the intense personal distress and fervent appeal contained within. The superscription attributes the psalm to "Cush the Benjamite," an individual otherwise unknown in the biblical narrative, suggesting a specific, perhaps obscure, but deeply personal and malicious accusation against David. This verse, [Psalms 7:3](/psalms/7-3 "Psalms 7:3 - David's Plea of Innocence"), initiates a conditional oath, setting the stage for David's subsequent imprecatory prayers and appeals for God's righteous judgment against his accusers (e.g., [Psalms 7:4-5](/psalms/7-4 "Psalms 7:4-5 - David's Oath of Innocence")). It immediately precedes David's plea for God to "rise up" and execute justice ([Psalms 7:6](/psalms/7-6 "Psalms 7:6 - God's Judgment Against the Wicked")), emphasizing his reliance on divine intervention rather than personal retaliation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David, as King of Israel, frequently faced political intrigue, betrayal, and false accusations, both from within his own court and from external enemies. The specific identity of "Cush the Benjamite" remains elusive, but the accusation was clearly serious enough to warrant such a passionate and public denial before God. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, and particularly in Israelite society, an appeal to God as judge was a common and legitimate recourse for those who felt wronged or falsely accused, especially when human justice seemed insufficient or corrupted. The concept of "clean hands" was a powerful metaphor for moral and legal innocence, signifying a lack of involvement in wrongdoing. David's prayer reflects a societal understanding that God was the ultimate arbiter of truth and justice, capable of discerning the hidden motives and actions of individuals, a truth echoed in [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart").
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **Plea of Innocence and Vindication**, a recurring motif where the righteous sufferer appeals to God against false charges, trusting in divine omniscience and justice. David's willingness to stake his life and reputation on his innocence before God demonstrates profound **Trust in Divine Justice**, asserting that God alone can truly discern the heart and set matters right. This theme is central to many psalms, such as [Psalms 35](/psalms/35 "Psalm 35 - A Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies"). Secondly, it underscores the importance of **Personal Integrity and Righteous Conduct**. The denial of "iniquity in my hands" speaks to David's commitment to living a life free from the specific wrongdoing he is accused of, reflecting a desire for moral uprightness before God and man. This pursuit of integrity is a consistent expectation for God's people throughout the Old Testament, as seen in the call to walk blamelessly in [Genesis 17:1](/genesis/17-1 "Genesis 17:1 - The Abrahamic Covenant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Iniquity (Hebrew, _ʿāwōn_):** This word carries a rich theological meaning beyond mere wrongdoing. It signifies perversity, guilt, or the distortion of what is right, often implying a deliberate twisting or bending of moral truth. It can also refer to the punishment that results from such sin. David's denial of "iniquity" in his hands is a strong assertion that his actions are not merely mistaken but are entirely free from the specific moral corruption or perversity implied by the accusations against him.
* **Hands (Hebrew, _kappay_):** The plural form "hands" (dual, actually, referring to both hands) is a common biblical idiom for actions, deeds, or conduct. To have "iniquity in my hands" means to have committed wicked or perverse acts. David's statement is a direct and forceful denial of the specific actions he is accused of, emphasizing that his behavior has been clean and free from the alleged wrongdoing. This is not a claim of sinless perfection in a general sense, but a specific and vehement refutation of the charges laid against him by Cush.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"O LORD my God":** This deeply personal and covenantal address ("Yahweh Elohim") establishes the intimate relationship between David and God. It signifies David's reliance on God not just as a distant deity but as his personal, covenant-keeping God, to whom he can appeal with confidence and trust. This opening immediately sets the tone of a direct, heartfelt plea to the ultimate authority.
* **"if I have done this;":** This clause initiates a conditional statement, a common legal or oath-taking formula in the ancient world. David is essentially saying, "If it is true that I have committed the specific act(s) I am accused of..." It serves as a solemn, self-imprecatory oath, implying that if the accusations are true, then the consequences he outlines later in the psalm (e.g., his enemies triumphing over him) should justly come upon him. It is a bold challenge to the veracity of the charges.
* **"if there be iniquity in my hands;":** This second conditional clause further specifies the nature of the denial. It clarifies that David is not just denying a vague "this" but specifically denying that his actions or conduct ("in my hands") have been marked by "iniquity" – that is, by perversity, guilt, or moral distortion. This reinforces his assertion of blamelessness concerning the specific charges, appealing to God's perfect knowledge of his deeds.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 7:3 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is the **Conditional Statement**, which functions as a solemn oath or self-curse. By stating "if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands," David is essentially inviting divine judgment upon himself *if* the accusations are true. This rhetorical strategy highlights his absolute confidence in his innocence and his trust in God's righteous judgment. There is also a strong element of **Appeal to Deity**, as David directly addresses "O LORD my God," placing his case before the ultimate, omniscient Judge. This personal address underscores the depth of his relationship with God and his conviction that only God can truly discern the truth. Furthermore, the phrase "iniquity in my hands" uses **Synecdoche**, where "hands" (a part of the body) represents the entirety of one's actions or conduct, emphasizing the practical, tangible nature of the alleged wrongdoing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 7:3 powerfully articulates the biblical principle of divine justice and the righteous's recourse to God in times of false accusation. It underscores God's omniscience and His role as the ultimate arbiter of truth, capable of discerning the hidden motives and actions of individuals. David's plea is not merely a legal defense but a theological declaration of trust in a God who sees all, knows all, and will ultimately vindicate the innocent. This confidence in God's perfect judgment provides a framework for understanding how believers should respond to injustice, by entrusting their cause to the One who judges righteously. It also highlights the Old Testament emphasis on personal integrity and the desire for one's actions to be blameless before God, even if misunderstood or slandered by others.

* [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart")
* [Psalms 35:1](/psalms/35-1 "Psalms 35:1 - David's Prayer for Justice")
* [Proverbs 24:12](/proverbs/24-12 "Proverbs 24:12 - God Knows the Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 7:3 offers profound comfort and practical guidance for believers navigating the painful experience of false accusations or deep misunderstanding. In a world often marked by slander and injustice, David's example teaches us to boldly and confidently lay our case before God, trusting in His perfect knowledge and righteous judgment. It calls us to examine our own hearts and actions, ensuring that we are living with integrity and "clean hands" before the Lord, even when our motives or deeds are misconstrued by others. This verse encourages us not to seek immediate human vindication or to engage in retaliatory behavior, but rather to rest in the assurance that God sees and knows all, and in His perfect timing, He will bring truth to light. Our primary concern should be our standing before God, rather than the fleeting opinions of others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When facing false accusations, how does David's immediate appeal to God challenge or affirm your natural response?**
* **What does it mean for you personally to have "clean hands" in your daily life and interactions?**
* **How does trusting in God's ultimate justice impact your ability to forgive those who have wronged you or slandered your name?**

### FAQ

**Does David's declaration of innocence in Psalms 7:3 mean he was claiming to be sinless?**

Answer: No, David is not claiming sinless perfection in a general sense. The phrase "if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands" is a specific denial of the particular accusations leveled against him by Cush the Benjamite, as indicated in the psalm's superscription. David is asserting his innocence regarding *these specific charges* of wrongdoing, not claiming to be without sin in his entire life. He elsewhere confesses his sinfulness (e.g., [Psalms 51:5](/psalms/51-5 "Psalms 51:5 - Confession of Sin")). This verse is a legal and moral defense against a particular slander, appealing to God's omniscience to confirm his blamelessness concerning the alleged acts.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While David's plea in [Psalms 7:3](/psalms/7-3 "Psalms 7:3 - David's Plea of Innocence") is a powerful assertion of his innocence regarding specific false accusations, it ultimately points forward to the perfect and absolute innocence of Jesus Christ. David, though righteous in this particular instance, was still a fallen man who would later commit grave sins (e.g., [2 Samuel 11](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David and Bathsheba")). Christ, however, truly had "no iniquity in His hands" in every sense. He was "without sin" ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our High Priest")), "knew no sin" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), and was the "Lamb without blemish or spot" ([1 Peter 1:19](/1_peter/1-19 "1 Peter 1:19 - The Precious Blood of Christ")). The truly innocent One, who committed no wrong and in whose mouth no deceit was found ([1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ's Example of Suffering")), was nonetheless falsely accused, condemned, and crucified. He did not appeal for vindication in the same way David did, but "committed himself to him who judges righteously" ([1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ's Example of Entrusting Himself to God")). In His perfect sacrifice, Christ, the truly blameless, bore the "iniquity" of us all, making it possible for us to be declared righteous before God, not by our own deeds, but by faith in His perfect work ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")).

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

1 Samuel 24:11

Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that [there is] neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.

Psalms 59:3

For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not [for] my transgression, nor [for] my sin, O LORD.

1 Samuel 26:18

And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil [is] in mine hand?

1 Samuel 26:19

Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if [they be] the children of men, cursed [be] they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods.

2 Samuel 16:7

And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:

2 Samuel 16:8

The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou [art taken] in thy mischief, because thou [art] a bloody man.

Joshua 22:22

The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if [it be] in rebellion, or if in transgression against the LORD, (save us not this day,)