Psalms Reading – 1.8.2022
Psalm 7
A shiggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush, a Benjamite.
1 LORD my God, I take refuge in you;
save and deliver me from all who pursue me,
2 or they will tear me apart like a lion
and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.
3 LORD my God, if I have done this
and there is guilt on my hands—
4 if I have repaid my ally with evil
or without cause have robbed my foe—
5 then let my enemy pursue and overtake me;
let him trample my life to the ground
and make me sleep in the dust.
6 Arise, LORD, in your anger;
rise up against the rage of my enemies.
Awake, my God; decree justice.
7 Let the assembled peoples gather around you,
while you sit enthroned over them on high.
8 Let the LORD judge the peoples.
Vindicate me, LORD, according to my righteousness,
according to my integrity, O Most High.
9 Bring to an end the violence of the wicked
and make the righteous secure—
you, the righteous God
who probes minds and hearts.
10 My shield is God Most High,
who saves the upright in heart.
11 God is a righteous judge,
a God who displays his wrath every day.
12 If he does not relent,
he will sharpen his sword;
he will bend and string his bow.
13 He has prepared his deadly weapons;
he makes ready his flaming arrows.
14 Whoever is pregnant with evil
conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment.
15 Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out
falls into the pit they have made.
16 The trouble they cause recoils on them;
their violence comes down on their own heads.
17 I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness;
I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High.
The introductory statement, “concerning Cush, a Benjamite” is not known elsewhere in the Bible, although King Saul, one of David’s tormentors, was from the tribe of Benjamin. “Cush” was a land south of Egypt in what today is Sudan. But the term here clearly refers to a person from the tribe of Benjamin, not a foreigner or a foreign land. It is likely that this title refers to an event that has been lost to history. (NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible)
David expressed confidence in the Lord and requested deliverance from all his pursuers whom he believes will tear him apart like a lion. This imagery depicts this is no small opposition David faces.
David asked God to direct His anger against his enemies. Throughout this psalm, David never declares an intention to take his own vengeance; he asks God to do this. He was not reluctant to admit his sin, but he also stoutly defended his integrity when he knew he had done no wrong
David often speaks of God’s unfailing love, but here he reveals the truth that God expresses judgments which are built into the system of the world. David goes on to say those who dig a hole for others fall into it themselves. The trouble they cause comes back on them.
The psalm ends with a vow to praise God for who He is. Such a pattern models for us that life is to be lived thanking and praising God, even when present situations seem very troubling.
Memory Verse:
Psalm 1:1-2, Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
Question(s) to Consider:
Where do you need to wait upon God to exercise His judgment? Are you praising Him anyway?