1 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.
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.
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.
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.
Psalm 7, also known as the "Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning the words of Cush, a Benjamite", is a profound and poignant exploration of the themes of divine justice, personal integrity, and the consequences of wickedness. This Psalm is a fervent plea from David for God to intervene and deliver justice amidst false accusations and the threats of enemies. The Psalm is a vivid portrayal of David's trust in God's righteousness and His capacity to judge fairly.
The Psalm commences with a desperate cry for help, as David seeks refuge in God from his persecutors. He declares his innocence and invites God to judge him, confident that his integrity will be vindicated. This initial plea sets the stage for the rest of the Psalm, which oscillates between expressions of trust, pleas for justice, and reflections on the nature of wickedness and divine retribution.
The first theme that emerges from Psalm 7 is a cry for justice. David, feeling unjustly accused, calls upon God to intervene. He does not merely ask for deliverance; he also invites God to examine his heart and judge him according to his righteousness. This reveals a deep trust in God's fairness and a profound understanding of divine justice. David is confident that God, the righteous judge, will see through the falsehoods of his accusers and vindicate him.
David's plea for justice is not just a call for personal vindication. It is also a call for God to uphold His divine order, where the wicked are punished and the righteous are rewarded. David appeals to God's sovereignty and righteousness, trusting that He will not allow evil to prevail.
The second theme in Psalm 7 is trust in God's righteousness. Despite the false accusations and the threats of his enemies, David remains steadfast in his trust in God. He declares, "My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart" (v.10). This statement is a powerful affirmation of David's faith in God's ability to deliver justice and protect the innocent.
David's trust in God's righteousness is not a passive acceptance of his circumstances. It is an active faith, demonstrated by his willingness to submit himself to God's judgment and his confidence in God's ability to discern the truth. David's trust in God's righteousness also extends to his understanding of divine retribution. He is confident that God will not only vindicate him but also punish the wicked.
The third theme in Psalm 7 is the consequences of wickedness. David describes the wicked as those who conceive evil, are pregnant with mischief, and give birth to lies. He portrays the wicked as individuals who dig a pit and fall into it, and who make trouble and are caught by it. This vivid imagery underscores the self-destructive nature of wickedness and the inevitability of divine retribution.
David's descriptions of the wicked are not just moral judgments; they are also observations about the nature of wickedness itself. Wickedness, according to David, is a self-defeating enterprise. The wicked, in their pursuit of evil, ultimately bring about their own destruction. This understanding of wickedness serves as a warning to the wicked and a reassurance to the righteous. For the righteous, it affirms that God's justice will prevail, and for the wicked, it serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of their actions.
Psalm 7 concludes with David's vindication and his praise of God. After pleading his case and expressing his trust in God's righteousness, David ends the Psalm with a declaration of God's justice and a song of praise. He proclaims, "I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high" (v.17).
This conclusion is not just a personal vindication for David; it is also a universal affirmation of God's justice. David's vindication serves as a testament to God's ability to deliver justice, uphold righteousness, and punish wickedness. His praise of God is not just an expression of personal gratitude; it is also a proclamation of God's righteousness to all who would listen.
In conclusion, Psalm 7 is a powerful exploration of divine justice, personal integrity, and the consequences of wickedness. David's plea for justice, his trust in God's righteousness, and his reflections on the nature of wickedness all converge to form a compelling portrait of a man of faith grappling with the challenges of his time. Through his struggles and triumphs, David provides us with valuable insights into the nature of God, the dynamics of faith, and the enduring relevance of divine justice.
Share this page