Psalms 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.