A Bible book that is most likely neglected in our studies is Psalms. Many people read Psalms yet fail to notice marvelous lessons that cannot be found by surface or casual reading. To begin a study of Psalms is a daunting task. Psalms has 150 chapters. Once one does decide to not only read the Psalms but to dissect each chapter they will be a better and more enlightened man or woman. This study is intended to get all Christians excited about the Psalms. Psalms chapter 7 may not excite you much until you really dig in and see the grand lessons for us today.
Psalms 7
Jehovah Implored to defend the Psalmist against the Wicked
Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto Jehovah, concerning the words of Cush a Benjamite
The word “Shiggaion” is “A technical term of uncertain meaning occurring in the superscriptions to Psalms 7 and Habakkuk’s prayer (plural at Habakkuk 3:1). Probably indicates a lamentation psalm of a special character or for a particular purpose and perhaps therefore accompanied by special ceremonies… a poem characterized by wild emotions and irregular construction” (ISBE volume 4, page 476).
One of the fascinating aspects of the Psalms is that they illustrate the reaction of men who find themselves in various situations. Psalms 7 occurs during some unrecorded time in David’s life when his enemy, Cush the Benjamite, speaks words of reproach against him. These reproachful words are damaging to the king’s reputation. David is frustrated with the damaging words because he knows they are not true. Once again, David pours out his heart to the Heavenly Father.
Three great lessons are taught in this Psalm. First, we learn of the reliability of God through David’s confidence to call upon him for help (Psalms 7:1-2; see also John 6:68 and Acts 22:16). Secondly, we learn about God’s desire for man’s meek spirit. The ability to apply the same standards of judgment toward self as you do toward others is a gift that all MUST possess (Psalms 7:3-5; see also Matthew 5:5). Thirdly, we learn that David was a man who actually loved truth, righteousness, and justice. Acts of righteousness caused the king to give thanks and to sing praises to God (Psalms 7:17). Those who are not excited and interested in righteousness and justice will never grow in the word of God as they should (see 1 John 5:1-3). There are other lessons to learn in this Psalm that branch off the three mentioned. Let us examine this most important Psalm and gain great wisdom.
“1 O LORD my God, in you do I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and deliver me, 2 lest like a lion they tear my soul apart, rending it in pieces, with none to deliver” (7:1-2).
As with many of the Psalms we find ourselves coming into a moment in the life of David wherein details of time, place, and events leading up to the Psalm are not given. We are left to examine the facts that are given and draw, by deductive reasoning, the only true conclusion. The fictional character Sherlock Holmes once said,
“The ideal reason-er would, when he had once been shown a single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which would follow from it. As Cuvier, a French paleontologist, could correctly describe a whole animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest pitch, it is necessary that the reason-er should be able to utilize all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and encyclopedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment” (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Complete Sherlock Holmes, Volume 1, page 266-267).
The facts given in our case are as follows. A man named “Cush the Benjamite” has spoken words of reproach toward the king. Secondly, the use of the plural pronoun “they” at verse two indicates that he is not acting alone. Thirdly, David compares Cush and his cohorts to a lion that seeks to “tear my soul apart.” David’s enemies were obviously a force to be reckoned with. A man does not simply dismiss the dangers a lion poses in the jungle. Apparently Cush and his followers posed a real and serious threat to David. But what did David do to incur such wrath by Cush? More importantly what can you and I gain from this Psalm that will make us better Christians? The answers to these questions beautifully unfold as we traverse through Psalms 7.
Notice the confidence that David has in the Lord. It is God that David turns to at this time of trouble in his life. It is God that David calls for to save him. It is God that David asks deliverance from his enemies. David knew that if God did not help there would be “none to deliver.” Throughout these early Psalms we are seeing the great confidence that David had in God (see Psalms 3:3-8). David wrote, “11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you” (Psalms 4:11). Furthermore, because of the King of Israel’s confidence in God he could say, “I will not be afraid of ten thousands of the people that have set themselves against me round about” (Psalms 3:6).
Other men in the New Testament displayed similar confidence in God. The Apostle Peter knew that there was no other direction to go than that of Christ. Jesus asked if the Apostles would, like the multitudes, turn and follow him no longer. Peter answered saying, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).
Ananias’ instructions to Saul of Tarsus also illustrates a confidence in God that makes itself manifest in a knowledge that he alone gives eternal help to the souls of men. Ananias told Saul, “And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16). These Bible figures confidently knew that there was no greater to turn to in life than the Almighty.
“3 O LORD my God, if I have done this, if there is wrong in my hands, 4 if I have repaid my friend with evil or plundered my enemy without cause, 5 let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it, and let him trample my life to the ground and lay my glory in the dust. Selah” (7:3-5).
What “this” thing that David has been charged by Cush of doing is not said. We may deduce that Cush’s rage against David is due to his believing that the king has taken property or possessions from him without cause (i.e., “plundered my enemy without cause“).
One of the greatest statements in the word of God that defines the character of meekness is given by King David. David had the uncanny gift of applying the same standard of righteousness and justice to himself as he did toward others. Far too many Christians are completely inept when it comes to judging self as we judge others. It is a simple task to recognize the faults of others yet to have the integrity of reasonable, fair, and equal assessment of self is a character trait rarely found in men. David is a man of righteousness and justice. David’s name is placed among the meek spirits of Moses (Numbers 12:3) and the Lord Jesus Christ (see Matthew 11:29; 21:5). Those who lack the ability, through pride and arrogance, to identify sin in one’s own life will never be with the heavenly Father in eternity. To lack meekness and equal judgment is to lack proper reason and a correct approach to life. To lack meekness and equal judgment is to live in the absence of humility. To lack meekness and equal judgment with self and all men is to fail in one’s understanding of God’s character and his divine expectations for mankind. Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).
David knows that he is not above God’s laws. If the king has broken the laws of righteousness and justice he deserves death just as anyone else. If David unjustly took something from Cush then he acknowledges his proper punishment. David said, “Let him overtake me and trample my life to the ground and lay my glory in the dust.” When battles took place, in these ancient days, the victors would trample the dead bodies of their enemies into the ground by foot and chariot. The flesh and blood of the dead would be incorporated into the ground. David boldly states that this is what he deserves if he is guilty of such sin against Cush.
The Apostle Paul makes a similar statement in the book of Acts 25:11. All good and godly men desire justice not just from others but from their own selves. One of the more difficult things that people in this world have troubles with is to judge ourselves by the same judgment we judge others. Far too often people apply stricter standards to others than they do to themselves.
Once again we run into the Hebrew word “Selah” which is a pause in the singing of a Psalm.
“6 Arise, O LORD, in your anger; lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies; awake for me; you have appointed a judgment. 7 Let the assembly of the peoples be gathered about you; over it return on high. 8 The LORD judges the peoples; judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me. 9 Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and may you establish the righteous– you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God!” (7:6-9).
David appeals to the justice of God that acts against the unrighteous actions of all men (see Jeremiah 9:23-25). God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). The just are just and the unjust are unjust no matter their name, race, or economic background. The standard of truth is that which measures a man as righteous or unrighteous (Isaiah 28:17). The prophet Isaiah foretold that righteousness and justice would be the foundation of the throne of Jesus Christ in his kingdom, the church (see Isaiah 9:7). The Apostle Paul would latter write, “Howbeit the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are his: and, Let every one that names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness” (2 Timothy 2:19).
The great confidence of David is depicted in that he calls upon the “anger and fury” of God to be stirred up against the unrighteous. The king is confident that he is right and Cush is wrong. To call upon the anger and fury of God without knowing whether he was in the right would be the height of foolishness. David knew of God’s might and great fury against the ungodly. David is a righteous man and knows it. The king calls upon God on the bases of his own “righteousness and integrity.” David knew that God hears and answers the prayers of the righteous and so he makes his appeal to the Almighty (see Psalms 4:1). The prayers of the saints today must also be in righteousness and justice else the Lord will not hear.
David’s confidence in God’s omniscience is also portrayed in these verses. The Lord is he who knows all things that occurs even within the thoughts of a man’s heart. Solomon wrote, “For the ways of man are before the eyes of Jehovah” (Proverbs 5:21). Jesus said, “But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee” (Matthew 6:3-4). Jesus knew the thoughts of men before they said anything (Matthew 12:25). David had nothing to hide from the Almighty!
David confidently calls upon God to put the hearts and deeds of Cush and his own self to the test. The standard that the test is measured by is righteousness and justice. Jeremiah wrote, “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds” (Jeremiah 17:10). The Lord puts man’s hearts and minds to a test to see if they measure up to the standard of righteousness and justice (see 2 Chronicles 32:31).
“10 My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart. 11 God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day. 12 If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow; 13 he has prepared for him his deadly weapons, making his arrows fiery shafts” (7:10-13).
David’s confidence and faith in God is depicted in his view of the Lord being his shield or protector in this life. David knew that God’s expectation for man is “uprightness in heart.” Those who are meek and seek out God with all their hearts can be assured of God’s favor. The “indignation” of God rest with those who have little interest in spiritual matters. Every day God is indignant with the wicked. All men have their moments of sin (see Romans 3:23). The truly righteous, however, will “repent” (turn away from their sins with a heart of sorrow – see 2 Corinthians 7:8-10). David knew that he was no different than Cush or any other man when it came to meeting God’s divine expectations of absolute moral perfection. That which differentiates a righteous man from an unrighteous man is one’s willingness to repent of wrong doing and try to do better in this life (see Philippians 3:13-15).
“14 Behold, the wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies. 15 He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made. 16 His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends” (7:14-16).
The wicked that refuse repentance cannot detect sin in their lives. Their hearts are so deluded that they cannot see the blackness of their own heart. Many can see the faults and sinfulness of others yet the deluded wicked see no fault of their own. Though the wicked are “pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies” they are blind to their personal wrong. Through time the wicked feel the pain of a life of folly. Solomon wrote, “Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse: He that keeps his soul shall be far from them” (Proverbs 22:5).
“17 I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High” (7:17).
David knew of God’s righteousness and his divine expectation of man’s righteousness. The consistency and love of God moves the king of Israel to close out his Psalm with a doxology. David gave God thanks and sang praises to the Almighty God, “the Most High.”
A grand statement of wisdom is made here that a casual reading of the Psalm will not yield. David has prayed to God and was confident that the Lord heard him due to his righteousness. David knew that he could call upon God for help because God is righteous. As we read this Psalm we see no more fitting end than chapter 7:17. David did not live in righteousness before men to be seen or viewed as holy (see Matthew 6:1). David actually liked the life of righteousness. David loved God’s laws. David was interested in the things of God. David earnestly wanted to do what was right in the sight of God.
The coming days and years of God’s people will be a test. Would they love the Lord their God with all their hearts and humbly submit to him in obedience? Those who experience victory over sin and death will do so because they were not wicked but rather interested in the things of God. Godly people will be interested, enthusiastic, excited, and love his divine standard. Others will find keeping God’s laws very “grievous” (see 1 John 5:1-3). The secret to a successful eternity with God is to find interest and value in truth. Solomon said, “Buy the truth and sell it not” (Proverbs 23:23).
