O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:
Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
O Lord my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;
If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)
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.
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.
So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.
The Lord shall judge the people: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.
Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.
God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.
He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.
Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.
He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.
His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.
I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high.
Context and Background
Psalms 7 is a heartfelt plea to God for deliverance from unjust accusations and persecution. The psalm is attributed to David, and the superscription mentions a certain Cush, a Benjamite, who may have been the source of the slander against him. While Scripture doesn't pinpoint the exact historical event that prompted this psalm, many scholars connect it to the period when David was relentlessly pursued by King Saul and his forces, as described in 1 Samuel. The themes of unjust accusation, reliance on God's justice, and confidence in eventual vindication resonate strongly with the events recorded in 1 Samuel 24.
A Cry for Justice (Psalms 7:1-2)
David begins with an urgent cry for refuge: "O LORD my God, in you do I take refuge; save me from all those who pursue me and deliver me, lest like a lion they tear my soul apart, rending it in pieces, with none to deliver." (Psalms 7:1-2). He pictures his enemies as ravenous lions, eager to tear him apart. This vivid imagery underscores the immediate danger and the intensity of David's fear. He turns to God as his only hope, acknowledging His power to rescue him from his pursuers.
Affirming Innocence (Psalms 7:3-5)
David boldly invites divine scrutiny, expressing his confidence in his innocence: "O LORD my God, if I have done this, if there is wrong in my hands, if I have repaid my friend with evil or plundered my enemy without cause, let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it, and let him trample my life to the ground and lay my glory in the dust." (Psalms 7:3-5). This is not a flippant challenge but a declaration of integrity. He is willing to accept severe consequences if he is indeed guilty of the accusations leveled against him. This self-imposed curse highlights his deep conviction that he has acted uprightly. David isn't literally asking God to allow these things to happen, but rather emphasizing the certainty of his innocence by accepting whatever punishment God might apply.
God, the Righteous Judge (Psalms 7:6-11)
Recognizing God's role as the ultimate judge, David implores Him to rise up and execute justice: "Arise, O LORD, in your anger; lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies; awake for me; you have appointed a judgment." (Psalms 7:6). He calls upon God to take His seat on the tribunal and make things right. David trusts that God sees the evil men do every day, and trusts that His response will be righteous.
David understands that God's judgment extends beyond outward actions to the inner thoughts and emotions: "Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and establish the righteous—you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God!" (Psalms 7:9). Nothing escapes the notice of the omniscient and omnipresent God. He is aware of the deeds of the wicked, and He shows His wrath every day (Psalms 7:11). This understanding should bring both comfort to the oppressed and a sobering warning to the oppressor.
It's important to remember that not all judgment is reserved for the future. On a daily basis, God carries out judgment on the wicked though they don’t expect it. As Paul reminds us, we should "leave room for God's wrath" (Romans 12:19), trusting that He will ultimately vindicate the righteous.
The Warrior God (Psalms 7:12-16)
David depicts God as a warrior, armed and ready to execute judgment on the unrepentant: "If a man does not repent, God will sharpen his sword; he has bent and readied his bow; he has prepared for him his deadly weapons, making his arrows fiery shafts." (Psalms 7:12-13). He routinely causes the wicked schemes of man to result in their own downfall. For instance, the sinner who digs a pit for someone else falls into it himself; the evil one who concocts violence finds that it comes crashing on his own head (Psalms 7:15-16).
Praise and Thanksgiving (Psalms 7:17)
The psalm concludes with a declaration of praise and thanksgiving: "I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High." (Psalms 7:17). Knowing that God will do what is right, David expresses his intention to praise God's character and glory.
Application
Psalms 7 offers several important lessons for believers today:
- Trust in God's Justice: When facing unjust accusations or persecution, we can find comfort in knowing that God is a righteous judge who sees all and will ultimately make things right.
- Integrity Matters: David's willingness to be judged highlights the importance of living with integrity and maintaining a clear conscience.
- Leave Vengeance to God: Instead of seeking revenge, we should trust God to vindicate us and deal with our enemies according to His perfect justice.
- Praise in the Midst of Trials: Even in the midst of difficult circumstances, we can choose to praise God for His righteousness and faithfulness.
By trusting in God's justice, living with integrity, and offering praise even in the face of adversity, we can experience the peace and protection that David found in the Lord.
O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:
Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
O Lord my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;
If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)
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.
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.
So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.
The Lord shall judge the people: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.
Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.
God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.
He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.
Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.
He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.
His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.
I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high.
Context and Background
Psalms 7 is a heartfelt plea to God for deliverance from unjust accusations and persecution. The psalm is attributed to David, and the superscription mentions a certain Cush, a Benjamite, who may have been the source of the slander against him. While Scripture doesn't pinpoint the exact historical event that prompted this psalm, many scholars connect it to the period when David was relentlessly pursued by King Saul and his forces, as described in 1 Samuel. The themes of unjust accusation, reliance on God's justice, and confidence in eventual vindication resonate strongly with the events recorded in 1 Samuel 24.
A Cry for Justice (Psalms 7:1-2)
David begins with an urgent cry for refuge: "O LORD my God, in you do I take refuge; save me from all those who pursue me and deliver me, lest like a lion they tear my soul apart, rending it in pieces, with none to deliver." (Psalms 7:1-2). He pictures his enemies as ravenous lions, eager to tear him apart. This vivid imagery underscores the immediate danger and the intensity of David's fear. He turns to God as his only hope, acknowledging His power to rescue him from his pursuers.
Affirming Innocence (Psalms 7:3-5)
David boldly invites divine scrutiny, expressing his confidence in his innocence: "O LORD my God, if I have done this, if there is wrong in my hands, if I have repaid my friend with evil or plundered my enemy without cause, let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it, and let him trample my life to the ground and lay my glory in the dust." (Psalms 7:3-5). This is not a flippant challenge but a declaration of integrity. He is willing to accept severe consequences if he is indeed guilty of the accusations leveled against him. This self-imposed curse highlights his deep conviction that he has acted uprightly. David isn't literally asking God to allow these things to happen, but rather emphasizing the certainty of his innocence by accepting whatever punishment God might apply.
God, the Righteous Judge (Psalms 7:6-11)
Recognizing God's role as the ultimate judge, David implores Him to rise up and execute justice: "Arise, O LORD, in your anger; lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies; awake for me; you have appointed a judgment." (Psalms 7:6). He calls upon God to take His seat on the tribunal and make things right. David trusts that God sees the evil men do every day, and trusts that His response will be righteous.
David understands that God's judgment extends beyond outward actions to the inner thoughts and emotions: "Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and establish the righteous—you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God!" (Psalms 7:9). Nothing escapes the notice of the omniscient and omnipresent God. He is aware of the deeds of the wicked, and He shows His wrath every day (Psalms 7:11). This understanding should bring both comfort to the oppressed and a sobering warning to the oppressor.
It's important to remember that not all judgment is reserved for the future. On a daily basis, God carries out judgment on the wicked though they don’t expect it. As Paul reminds us, we should "leave room for God's wrath" (Romans 12:19), trusting that He will ultimately vindicate the righteous.
The Warrior God (Psalms 7:12-16)
David depicts God as a warrior, armed and ready to execute judgment on the unrepentant: "If a man does not repent, God will sharpen his sword; he has bent and readied his bow; he has prepared for him his deadly weapons, making his arrows fiery shafts." (Psalms 7:12-13). He routinely causes the wicked schemes of man to result in their own downfall. For instance, the sinner who digs a pit for someone else falls into it himself; the evil one who concocts violence finds that it comes crashing on his own head (Psalms 7:15-16).
Praise and Thanksgiving (Psalms 7:17)
The psalm concludes with a declaration of praise and thanksgiving: "I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High." (Psalms 7:17). Knowing that God will do what is right, David expresses his intention to praise God's character and glory.
Application
Psalms 7 offers several important lessons for believers today:
- Trust in God's Justice: When facing unjust accusations or persecution, we can find comfort in knowing that God is a righteous judge who sees all and will ultimately make things right.
- Integrity Matters: David's willingness to be judged highlights the importance of living with integrity and maintaining a clear conscience.
- Leave Vengeance to God: Instead of seeking revenge, we should trust God to vindicate us and deal with our enemies according to His perfect justice.
- Praise in the Midst of Trials: Even in the midst of difficult circumstances, we can choose to praise God for His righteousness and faithfulness.
By trusting in God's justice, living with integrity, and offering praise even in the face of adversity, we can experience the peace and protection that David found in the Lord.