Psalm 7 is another song of lament, this time expressing frustration following the verbal attack of Cush the Benjamite. For many of David’s psalms, we can cross reference the passage with other Bible passages to get background on the situation. However, the only time Cush the Benjamite is mentioned is here in the heading.
Verses 1-2
David speaks from a place of grief during a time when there is personal risk to his life. He seeks refuge in Yahweh for safety, hearkening back to imagery of his shepherding days. He describes a lion tearing apart a lamb unless the shepherd acts as the lamb’s defender.
Verses 3-5
As the passage continues, David holds up his honor as collateral to God. He states that if he has done wrong to another as his accuser claims, God should allow an enemy to “trample me to the ground and leave my honor in the dust.”
Verses 6-8
Knowing that he is not at fault in this matter, David calls on God to rise up, awake, and judge what is true. He seeks the justice of God his Defender to vindicate him.
Verses 9-11
David prays for evil come to an end and for the righteous to be established. He acknowledges that God takes into account more than actions alone, calling Him the One who examines the thoughts and emotions. David seeks not to protect himself, but states,
My shield is with God who saves the upright in heart.
This is of primary importance to me as the news in recent months has been full of racial tension and killings. As I read the heartbreaking accounts, I remind myself:
- I don’t know the full story. As David said, only God knows the thoughts and emotions of a person.
- Hatred, anger, and racism are tools of Satan. Love is the answer. It always is.
- As Christians, we should look to God for our defense, not the government and not personal retribution.
Verses 14-16
Verses 14-16 are an emotionally charged warning to the wicked. David describes a person full of evil digging a pit for another person’s demise and falling into it himself, bringing violence on his own head. If this scene could be televised, it would be a clip on tonight’s news broadcast. To quote a man intimately familiar with prejudice,
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
BrainyQuote.com, Xplore Inc. 2016
We like to think we are 100% right and the people against us are 100% wrong. Rarely, if ever, is that the case. People are imperfect. We assume motives and misjudge intentions. It is always right to ask God to show you were you went wrong in a matter. Seek forgiveness in repentance and humility.
Verse 17
David concludes the song with thanks to the Lord for His righteousness. He sings praise to the name of the Most High. Using the Hebrew names for God as written in the Complete Jewish Bible, this verse reads:
I thank ADONAI for His righteousness and sing praise to the name of ADONAI ‘Elyon.
David uses various names of God throughout the psalm which adds a significant level of meaning to his words. Time prevents further development, but it is a topic which could be explored through personal study at a later time.
No matter how broken we are as humans, God is always pure, righteous, and holy. As such, He is worthy of our praise and delights in our thankfulness. He rejoices in our submission to His authority.
This post is Day 7 of the 31 Days of Journaling through the Psalms series. If you would like to read the first post, Psalm 1: The Wise and the Wicked, click here. The introduction to the series can be found here.
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