For a few more days we will be looking into the Psalms. These ten psalms (Psalms 7, 27, 31, 34, 52, 56, 12, and 140-142) have to do with the time David was fleeing from Saul in 1 Samuel 21-24.
Psalm 7 was written by David concerning a man named Cush from the tribe of Benjamin. Remember that Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin. This is the only time Cush is mentioned in the Scripture. He may have been the leader of the clan who was sent by Saul to persecute David.
Verses 1-2-David appears to make a reference to the kingly line of Judah. Judah is the lion. Does he make reference to the tribe of Benjamin as usurping the throne of Judah in verse two?
Verses 3-5-David proclaims innocence of wrong doing. David felt bad for cutting the robe of Saul. Other than that, he did no wrong (1 Samuel 21-24).
Selah-David needs to pause and think about this validity of his statement, or the reader needs to consider his own innocence in matters of dealing with others. How are you treating those in your area of influence?
Verses 6-8-David calls for judgment on those who do wrong. Notice that David does not take vengeance on Cush but asks God to do so. In other places (1 Samuel 21-24), David chooses to be God’s tool of judgment on the Philistines because God called him for this purpose but chooses not to touch Saul because God called him not to harm Saul. When we feel we are in need of vindication are we walking in the purpose of God in what we do? And, as with David, can we ask God to judge us in the same breath?
Verses 9-11-The prayer of David for the wicked to end would include himself if he had done wickedly. He is not placing himself above judgment. He, in this moment, has not done wickedly. We will see a different tone of prayer after David commits adultery with Bathsheba.
Verses 12-16-These verses may have another reference to the tribe of Benjamin overstepping their role and purpose in the nation of Israel. It was already mentioned in verses 1-2 that the Benjamites attempted to overthrow Judah as the rightful ruling tribe. In these verses, they are judged for taking God’s role as Judge. God will destroy them with the arrow. The Benjamites were skilled in archery (1 Samuel 20).
Verse 17-David gives thanks to God, regardless of the outcome or even if God does nothing.
Can we thank God for doing nothing? Can we proclaim praise to the Most High God merely for who He is in His righteousness? Can we allow things to go unexplained and still fall to our knees in gratitude?
David was being pursued due to the jealous rage of a dethroned king. He did nothing. What do we do when people pursue us without cause? Or, with cause?
3 thoughts on “Psalm 7”
Comments are closed.