The Book of Psalms
Psalm 7
Psalm VII · Vol. II, p. 991
1 David prayeth against the malice of his enemies, professing his innocence. 10 By faith he seeth his defence, and the destruction of his enemies.
aShiggaion of David, which he sang unto the LORD, concerning the words1 of bCush the Benjamite.
1 O LORDc my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:
2 Lest he dtear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.2
d Pr.19.12. Is.38.13. Ps.35.15,16; 50.22.
2 Heb. not a deliverer.
4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, gI have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy;)3
g 1 Sa.24.7; 26.10,17; 23.5,12. Ro.12.17,19-21.
3 David may here perhaps refer to one of those romantic incidents recorded of him when a fugitive. He saved Saul's life when he had him completely in his power. This was a sufficient refutation of the calumnious charge which, it appears, had now been brought against him.—P.
5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him htread down my life upon the earth, and lay imine honour in the dust. 4Selah.
6 Arise,j 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.5
7 So kshall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore lreturn thou on high.6
8 The LORD shall judge the people: njudge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.7
n Ps.26.1; 35.24; 43.1; 18.20,24; 17.2,3. 1 Sa.24.11.
7 There is no presumption here. The psalmist makes no allusion to his personal religion, or his righteousness in the sight of God. A specific charge had been brought against him. He was conscious of his innocence and perfect integrity in so far as it was concerned.—P.
9 Oho let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but pestablish the just: qfor the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
13 He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he xordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.
15 He made a pit,1 and digged it, zand is fallen into the ditch which he made.
1 Heb. He hath digged a pit.
z Ps.9.15,16; 140.9-11; 10.2; 109.17,18. Pr.5.22; 26.27. Ec.10.8. Es.vii. ix. 1 Sa.26.10.
16 His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.
Notes
Title. It ought not to be forgotten that the superscriptions or titles prefixed to many of the Psalms are not inspired. They are generally of late date, and of questionable authenticity. Nothing is known of Cush the Benjamite. He is not mentioned elsewhere; but he may possibly have been one of the followers of Saul when he was in pursuit of David amid the wilds and strongholds of the desert. P.
Ver. 1. The denial of all iniquity, ver. 3, and the appeal to judgment on the ground of righteousness and integrity (ver. 8-11), could never have proceeded from David the son of Jesse. He confessed his sin, and the Holy Spirit hath recorded that sin for our warning, and his repentance and pardon for our encouragement. But the denial of iniquity, and the appeal to judgment on the ground of righteousness, are most becoming in David's Lord (Mat. 22. 43), who knew no sin. These verses, therefore, being absolutely untrue of David, but perfectly true of Christ, we have the utmost evidence that this psalm is a prayer of Christ. C.
Ver. 13. This and the following verses point to an individual. But who is he? Read Ac. 1. 16, 20; Ps. 69. 25, and then say, is not this also a description of the arch-traitor, the prototype of all the subsequent persecutors of Christ and his church—in principle, covetousness; in practice, cruelty; and in the end, self-destruction. C.
Ver. 16. These verses contain a graphic description of the career of the wicked man. Sin of every form and character is recklessly indulged in. One is reminded by it of Paul's statements in the epistle to the Romans. P.
Reflections.—While I here behold the much persecuted and reproached Jesus, in his perfect righteousness, justified by his Father, and avenged of all his enemies, Jewish, heathen, &c., let me think how complete and commodious a refuge God is in every time of trouble! In him we can never be moved. However brutish and cruel our enemies be, while we are weak we are strong. No false accusation need dismay us while we are conscious of our innocence, and have a gracious God to appeal to as our witness and judge. There is no kindness which he will not grant for the benefit of his people and the glory of his own perfections. Out of his favour there is no safety, and in it there is no danger. If he justify us none dare accuse or condemn us. And though our faith is truly a condition of our eternal happiness, dreadful and unavoidable is the ruin of impenitent sinners. Their contrivances and attempts against the godly shall prove means of their own destruction; when they who trusted in the Lord, and kept his way, triumph in notes of endless praise.