Book of Psalms Psalm 7 Let God Be the Judge Sometimes believers suffer unfairly at the hands of others. In such times they should trust God to defend them and make things right. Psalm 7 records a situation like this in David s life. The superscription says, Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the Lord, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite. From this we can draw three conclusions: This psalm was written with intense feeling. It is called a Shiggaion, which may mean a psalm written with intense emotion. This psalm was intended for private reflection. Most of the psalms were written for public worship, but others were composed for private worship and reflection. This psalm was probably designed to be a solo rather than a congregational hymn ( of David, which he sang ). This psalm was David s response to personal slander. A certain man, Cush of the tribe of Benjamin, had falsely accused David, who in turn wrote this psalm in response to his accusations and attacks. It has been suggested that Cush (mentioned only here in Scripture) was one of King Saul s key men or one of his henchmen sent to kill David. He may have accused David of trying to oust King Saul and get power for himself (1 Sam. 24:9-12). 1. LORD, SAVE ME (vs. 1-2) David placed himself in God s hands as the first line of defense. Only God could save him. For David this was: A. A time of trust (vs. 1) B. A time of trouble (vs. 2) As a shepherd boy, David had seen lions on the attack (1 Sam. 17:34-35; Ps. 17:12; 22:13, 21). 2. LORD, SEARCH ME (vs. 3-5) David asked God to search his life. This is a bold request similar to Ps. 139:23-24. A. Examine me (vs. 3-4) Notice the repeated if if. David s words take the form of an oath. Apparently David was being falsely accused of stealing from innocent people. B. Punish me (vs. 5) Such a self-pronounced curse was a powerful testimony of his innocence (see Job 31:5-40). 3. LORD, SUPPORT ME (vs. 6-9) A. Arise in your anger (vs. 6a) Notice the contrast of God s anger to the anger of David s enemies. B. Assemble your court (vs. 6b-7) David was content to trust God s verdict.
C. Assess the situation (vs. 8) David knew he was not sinless, but he was blameless as far as the slander was concerned. D. Abolish the wicked (vs. 9) E. Affirm the righteous (vs. 9) God knows the innermost thoughts and feelings. Hearts and reins is literally, kidneys, or the deepest part of our being. Compare the truth of verse 9 to God s purpose for civil government as found in Romans 13:3-4 and 1 Peter 2:13-14 (to punish evil and promote good). 4. LORD, SHIELD ME (vs. 10-17) Here David shifts from the language of the courtroom to the language of the battlefield, describing God as a victorious warrior. A. God protects the righteous (vs. 10) B. God punishes the wicked (vs. 11-17) David pictures God as a warrior getting ready to attack the wicked. He prepares his weapons (sword, bow, and flaming arrows). God may directly punish the wicked or He may choose to let sin run its course. Verses 14-16 describe how the plans of the wicked backfire on them, using three images. The wicked person gives birth to sin which eventually overtakes him. The wicked person makes a pit and eventually falls in himself. The wicked plans evil that eventually boomerangs and destroys him. The Bible gives several examples of the principle of reaping what you sow. Pharaoh and the Egyptians tried to kill all the Hebrew babies by throwing them in the Nile River. Years later, Pharaoh and the Egyptians were drowned in the Red Sea as they chased the Jews. In the Book of Esther, Haman built gallows on which he planned to execute Mordecai, but Haman was hanged on the same gallows instead. Psalms 9:15-16 15 The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken. 16 The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. Psalms 35:7-8 7 For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul. 8 Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall. Proverbs 26:27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. Esther 9:25 But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. LASTING LESSONS: When someone wrongs you, trust God to make it right. Instead of taking matters in your own hands, turn it over to God and let Him handle it. Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. When you are accused, examine yourself to see if the charges are true. When someone lies about you, realize that God knows all the facts. All of your life, even your thoughts and feelings are an open book to Him. This is either very comforting or very convicting. Psalms 139:1-4 1 O LORD, thou hast searched me,
and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. When evil seems to win, God s justice will ultimately prevail. He will judge wickedness in the future, and He may judge evil in this life as well. Sometimes God intervenes and stops evil people in their tracks, but sometimes He allows evil to continue. Just remember that God will eventually execute justice. Do not retaliate, but rest in God s righteousness and control. Verse 17 is a concluding word of praise, focusing on God s righteousness and His exalted position and power over all things. Genesis 18:25b... Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? God is the LORD most high (Heb., Jehovah Elyon), signifying that He is the covenant God (Jehovah) and the controlling God (Elyon). The name most high (Elyon) is found 36 times in Scripture and here for the first time in Psalms. God is sovereign and in control of all people and circumstances.
Book of Psalms Psalm 7 Let God Be the Judge Sometimes believers suffer unfairly at the hands of others. In such times they should trust God to defend them and make things right. Psalm 7 records a situation like this in David s life. The superscription says, Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the Lord, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite. From this we can draw three conclusions: This psalm was written with. It is called a Shiggaion, which may mean a psalm written with intense emotion. This psalm was intended for. Most of the psalms were written for public worship, but others were composed for private worship and reflection. This psalm was probably designed to be a solo rather than a congregational hymn ( of David, which he sang ). This psalm was David s response to. A certain man, Cush of the tribe of Benjamin, had falsely accused David, who in turn wrote this psalm in response to his accusations and attacks. 1. (vs. 1-2) David placed himself in God s hands as the first line of defense. Only God could save him. A. A time of (vs. 1) B. A time of (vs. 2) As a shepherd boy, David had seen lions on the attack (1 Sam. 17:34-35; Ps. 17:12; 22:13, 21). 2. (vs. 3-5) David asked God to search his life. This is a bold request similar to Ps. 139:23-24. A. me (vs. 3-4) Notice the repeated if if. David s words take the form of an oath. B. me (vs. 5) Such a self-pronounced curse was a testimony of his innocence (see Job 31:5-40). 3. (vs. 6-9) A. in your anger (vs. 6a) Notice the contrast of God s anger to the anger of David s enemies. B. your court (vs. 6b-7) David was content to trust God s verdict. C. the situation (vs. 8) David knew he was not sinless, but he was blameless as far as the slander was concerned.
D. the wicked (vs. 9) E. the righteous (vs. 9) God knows the innermost thoughts and feelings. Hearts and reins is literally, kidneys, or the deepest part of our being. 4. (vs. 10-17) Here David shifts from the language of the courtroom to the language of the battlefield. A. God (vs. 10) B. God (vs. 11-17) David pictures God as a warrior getting ready to attack the wicked. He prepares his weapons (sword, bow, and flaming arrows). The Bible gives several examples of the 15 principle of reaping what you sow. Psalms 9:15-16 The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken. 16 The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. Psalms 35:7-8 7 For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul. 8 Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall. Proverbs 26:27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. Esther 9:25 But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. LASTING LESSONS: When someone wrongs you,. Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. When you are accused,. When someone lies about you,. Psalms 139:1-4 1 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. When evil seems to win,. He will judge wickedness in the future, and He may judge evil in this life as well. Do not retaliate, but. Verse 17 is a concluding word of praise, focusing on God s righteousness and His exalted position and power over all things. Genesis 18:25b... Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? God is the LORD most high (Heb., Jehovah Elyon), signifying that He is the covenant God (Jehovah) and the controlling God (Elyon). The name most high (Elyon) is found 36 times in Scripture and here for the first time in Psalms. God is sovereign and in control of all people and circumstances.