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Dave Burnette's Commentary

Psalm Chapter 7

Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: David, Asaph, Solomon, Heman, Ethan, Moses, and the Sons of Korah
Date Penned: (1440-586 BC)
Overview: Poetry for the Expression of Praise and Worship to God (c 1-150)
Theme: The First Book of Psalms (c 1-41)
Message: Justice Against Those Who Slander (v 1-17)

Psalms 7 Commentary

(7:1) David Cries Out to God for Justice - Have you ever been falsely accused or so badly hurt that you wanted revenge? David wrote this psalm in response to the slanderous accusations of those who were claiming that he was trying to kill Saul and seize the throne (1 Samuel 24:9-11). Instead of taking matters into his own hands and striking back, David cried out to God for justice. The proper response to slander is prayer, not revenge, because God says, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay* (Romans 12:19; see also Deuteronomy 32:35:36; Hebrews 10:30). Instead of striking back, ask God to take your case, bring justice, and restore your reputation.


(7:1) Shiggaion - Shiggaion (see title) is a term from the verb meaning "to err" or "to wander"; it could also mean "wild" or "ecstatic." A shiggaion is a poem written with intense feeling, a lament to stir the emotions.


(7:6) David Appeals to God  - Was it irreverent for David to tell God to get up and do something? God is not offended by our honest feelings. The deepest relationships are those forged out of complete trust and honesty. David was urgently appealing to God to hear him, see him, and rescue him. Sometimes we need suffering to drive us to pray as honestly as we should.


(7:9) Our Thoughts and Motives - God "trieth the hearts and reins," which means he sees our deepest thoughts and feelings. Nothing is hidden from him. This can be either terrifying or comforting. Our thoughts are an open book to him. Because God knows even our motives, we have no place to hide, no way to pretend we can get away with sin. But that very knowledge can also give us great comfort. We don't have to impress God or put up a false front before him. Instead, we can trust God to help us work through our weaknesses in order to serve him as he intends. When we truly follow God, he rewards our efforts.


(7:14-16) Reaping What We Sow - When allowed to run its course, evil destroys itself. Violent people become victims of violence, and liars become victims of others' deceit (9:15-16). In the process, however, innocent people are hurt. Sometimes God intervenes and stops evildoers in their tracks in order to protect his followers. At other times, for reasons known only to him, God allows evil to continue even though innocent people are hurt. It is during these times that we must ask God to protect us. Remember that God will execute final justice, even if it is not during our lifetimes.


(7:17)  During a time of great evil and injustice, David was grateful that God was righteous and just (see also 7:11). When we wonder if anyone is honest or fair, we can be assured that God will continue to bring justice and fairness as we involve him in our activities. If you ever feel that you are being treated unfairly, ask the one who is always fair and just to be with you. Then thank him for his presence (see Isaiah 42:1-6).



Dave Burnette's Life Application

Our Reputation



Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter, making application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue in the Book of Psalms with Chapter 7. In our text today, we see a theme of our desire to have justice for those who slander us with their words. In our Christian life, we will have those who spread false accusations against us in an attempt to harm us. David was accused of doing the same toward Saul but learned that our Lord was his reputation. He is a judge, and He will give us justice. Today we don't have to run around trying to defend ourselves but apply this principle of letting the Lord Jesus be Our Reputation. How about you? Do you have others slandering you? Let us learn from our text today to remember that we don't have to seek our justice but stand behind our Lord, let Him deliver His justice, and stand on the truth that Jesus is our reputation.

 

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Psalm 7

Psalm 7

 1O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:

 2Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.

 3O LORD my God, If I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;

 4If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)

 5Let 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.

 6Arise, 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.

 7So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.

 8The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.

 9Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.

 10My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.

 11God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.

 12If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.

 13He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.

 14Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.

 15He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.

 16His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.

 17I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.