Psalm 7

Reflections on The Psalms

Psalm 7

Shiggaion [rambling poem] 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: {2} Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver. {3} O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; {4} If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:) {5} Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.

It is uncertain who is after David. Some say the name "Cush" is an epithet applied to Shimei, one of the sons of Saul. If so, then the event was David’s flight before his own son, Absalom. The accusation was that David was a bloody man and was responsible for the death of Saul and Jonathan. David could rightly say that he had not done this. He had, in fact, delivered Saul on more than one occasion when he could have killed him.

{6} Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded. {7} So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high. {8} The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.

It takes a lot of courage to ask God to "judge me according to my righteousness." It is especially so for a man like David whose unrighteousness is so well documented. I can only conclude that David knew he had been forgiven of his sins and that his iniquity was no longer attributed to him. There is a lot in that to give a person heart. When God says he will no longer remember a person’s iniquity, he must mean it quite literally. God looks on the heart, and when the past is truly past, he will not hold it against us.

{9} Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.

This is an interesting thought. He does not call for the end of the wicked, but for the wickedness of the wicked. It may be a distinction without a difference, but maybe not.

{10} My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. {11} God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. {12} If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. {13} He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors. {14} Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. {15} He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. {16} His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate. {17} I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high."

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