1 [[Shiggaion H7692 of David, H1732 which he sang H7891 unto the LORD, H3068 concerning the words H1697 of Cush H3568 the Benjamite.]] H1121 H1145 O LORD H3068 my God, H430 in thee do I put my trust: H2620 save H3467 me from all them that persecute H7291 me, and deliver H5337 me:
2 Lest he tear H2963 my soul H5315 like a lion, H738 rending it in pieces, H6561 while there is none to deliver. H5337
3 O LORD H3068 my God, H430 if I have done H6213 this; if there be H3426 iniquity H5766 in my hands; H3709
4 If I have rewarded H1580 evil H7451 unto him that was at peace H7999 with me; (yea, I have delivered H2502 him that without cause H7387 is mine enemy:) H6887
5 Let the enemy H341 persecute H7291 my soul, H5315 and take H5381 it; yea, let him tread down H7429 my life H2416 upon the earth, H776 and lay H7931 mine honour H3519 in the dust. H6083 Selah. H5542
6 Arise, H6965 O LORD, H3068 in thine anger, H639 lift up H5375 thyself because of the rage H5678 of mine enemies: H6887 and awake H5782 for me to the judgment H4941 that thou hast commanded. H6680
7 So shall the congregation H5712 of the people H3816 compass thee about: H5437 for their sakes therefore return H7725 thou on high. H4791
8 The LORD H3068 shall judge H1777 the people: H5971 judge H8199 me, O LORD, H3068 according to my righteousness, H6664 and according to mine integrity H8537 that is in me.
9 Oh let the wickedness H7451 of the wicked H7563 come to an end; H1584 but establish H3559 the just: H6662 for the righteous H6662 God H430 trieth H974 the hearts H3826 and reins. H3629
10 My defence H4043 is of God, H430 which saveth H3467 the upright H3477 in heart. H3820
11 God H430 judgeth H8199 the righteous, H6662 and God H410 is angry H2194 with the wicked every day. H3117
12 If he turn H7725 not, he will whet H3913 his sword; H2719 he hath bent H1869 his bow, H7198 and made it ready. H3559
13 He hath also prepared H3559 for him the instruments H3627 of death; H4194 he ordaineth H6466 his arrows H2671 against the persecutors. H1814
14 Behold, he travaileth H2254 with iniquity, H205 and hath conceived H2029 mischief, H5999 and brought forth H3205 falsehood. H8267
15 He made H3738 a pit, H953 and digged H2658 it, and is fallen H5307 into the ditch H7845 which he made. H6466
16 His mischief H5999 shall return H7725 upon his own head, H7218 and his violent H2555 dealing shall come down H3381 upon his own pate. H6936
17 I will praise H3034 the LORD H3068 according to his righteousness: H6664 and will sing praise H2167 to the name H8034 of the LORD H3068 most high. H5945
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 7
Commentary on Psalms 7 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 7
Ps 7:1-17. Shiggaion—a plaintive song or elegy. Though obscure in details, this title seems to intimate that the occasion of this Psalm was some event in David's persecution by Saul. He prays for relief because he is innocent, and God will be glorified in his vindication. He thus passes to the celebration of God's righteous government, in defending the upright and punishing the wicked, whose malignant devices will result in their own ruin; and, confident of God's aid, he closes with rejoicing.
1, 2. Though many enemies set upon him, one is singled out as prominent, and compared to a wild beast tearing his prey to pieces (compare 1Sa 20:1; 23:23; 26:19).
3. if I have done this—that is, the crime charged in the "words of Cush" (compare 1Sa 24:9).
4. If I have injured my friend.
yea, I have delivered, &c.—This makes a good sense, but interrupts the course of thought, and hence it is proposed to render, "if I have spoiled my enemy"—in either case (compare 1Sa 24:4-17; 31:8, 11).
5. This is the consequence, if such has been his conduct.
mine honour—(compare Ps 3:3; 4:2)—my personal and official dignity.
6. God is involved as if hitherto careless of him (Ps 3:7; 9:18).
rage—the most violent, like a flood rising over a river's banks.
the judgment … commanded—or, "ordained"; a just decision.
7. compass thee—as those seeking justice.
return thou on high—assume the judgment seat, to be honored as a just Ruler by them.
8. Though not claiming innocence in general, he can confidently do so in this case, and in demanding from the Judge of all the earth a judgment, he virtually asks acquittal.
9. the hearts and reins—the affections and motives of men, or the seat of them (compare Ps 16:7; 26:2); as we use heart and bosom or breast.
10. defence—literally, "shield" (Ps 5:12).
11. judgeth—as in Ps 7:8.
the wicked—Though not expressed, they are implied, for they alone are left as objects of anger.
12, 13. They are here distinctly pointed out, though by changing the person, a very common mode of speech, one is selected as a representative of wicked men generally. The military figures are of obvious meaning.
13. against the persecutors—Some render "for burning," but the former is the best sense. Arrows for burning would be appropriate in besieging a town, not in warring against one man or a company in open fight.
14. The first clause expresses the general idea that wicked men labor to do evil, the others carry out the figure fully.
15, 16. 1Sa 18:17; 31:2 illustrate the statement whether alluded to or not. These verses are expository of Ps 7:14, showing how the devices of the wicked end in disappointment, falsifying their expectations.
17. his righteousness—(Ps 5:8). Thus illustrated in the defense of His servant and punishment of the wicked.