Psalm 7
Pastor David Groendyk

As has been the theme for the past few psalms, Psalm 7 is a cry for justice. Someone or some people have wronged and persecuted David. Many have speculated about who Cush the Benjaminite is in the superscription of this psalm, perhaps being one of Saul’s lackeys back when Saul was trying to hunt David down (remember Saul himself was from the tribe of Benjamin), but ultimately we do not know. However, that lack of information shouldn’t dampen the hope of this psalm one bit.

In verses 1–5, David lays out his situation. He is worried about certain pursuers and metaphorical lions who are seeking to tear him apart. It seems to go much deeper than simple persecution though. David seems to explain to God that he is being accused of wickedness and sins that he has not committed—betraying his friends, ruthlessly pillaging enemies, etc. So David pleads his own innocence and clean conscience before God. He knows he has a right to come before God. More importantly, notice in verse 1 that David is already taking refuge in God. Even before God has solved any of his problems or even heard his prayer, David has fled to the shelter of the Almighty, the place where, as Derek Kidner says, “there is peace whatever the outcome.” In a sense, it doesn’t matter how God answers this plea; David is safe.

In verses 6–16, David asks God to judge. There are so many awesome descriptions of God in this section. He is the ultimate law-giver and heart-tester, he is the man of war and final victor, and he is the only just and righteous judge who alone does right. David is not merely praying to have his situation fixed or to be vindicated, but he is pleading that God would be true to his character and eliminate the evil. It is good and right for God to be angry and wrathful and full of fury against sin and injustice. He cannot dwell with sin or even look upon it. It’s just not in his nature. David knows it, and he begs God to do right. On the other hand, implied in verse 12, we see the way of escape. While we can probably safely assume that David’s enemies did not escape God’s wrath, David tells us that repentance rescues from wrath. Repentance stays the sword and hangs up the bow. In fact, that’s the only difference between David and his enemies. David has repented of his sins, and his enemies haven’t. Therefore, David can make this plea, knowing he’s safe in the refuge of God, while his enemies should be quaking in their boots.

Hence, in verse 17, David is confident that the Lord will do right at the end of the day. Christians can take comfort in the character of their God, all the while continuing to make a practice of said repentance and fleeing to find refuge from the storm under the wings of the Almighty.