PSALMS 7:1-17

Reading: Psa 62:1-7

Songs: Did You Think To Pray

Objective: learning how to pray using the psalms; dealing with false reports about us given by hateful people

INTRODUCTION

A. It is always difficult to accept accusations when innocent; to be persecuted while doing right. Unfortunately, even though such charges are false, they are still vexing since we know that weak-minded, naive or uniformed individuals will certainly believe them. Reputations can be ruined by it and the victims can only protest their innocence. What can we do in such a situation?

B. David found himself in such a situation. Let’s examine his example for help in our own.

Discussion

I. THE RIGHTEOUS AND THEIR REFUGE - GOD (7:1-2).

A. ... he sang unto the LORD, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite ... (7:1).

The Reason For His Prayer

1 ¶ <<Shiggaion <07692> of David <01732>, which he sang <07891> (8804) unto the LORD <03068>, concerning the words <01697> of Cush <03568> the Benjamite <01121> <01145>.>> O LORD <03068> my God <0430>, in thee do I put my trust <02620> (8804): save <03467> (8685) me from all them that persecute <07291> (8802) me, and deliver <05337> (8685) me: {words: or, business}

1. It is not given in scripture who was Cush, the Benjamite but from this psalm we learn that he was causing David trouble.

a. This Psalm, along with others (34; 52; 54; 56; 57; 59; 142) is commonly associated with David’s flight from king Saul.

b. It is also obvious from verses three through five, that David was innocent of any reason for any one attacking him and yet, Cush did attack him.

c. What could David do?

d. What can we do when we’ve done right but instead of receiving kindness back our reputation is sullied in public?

(1) That seems to have been the situation David addressed in this psalm.

(2) In reading this psalm we can learn how to cope in such a painful situation.

2. David turned in trust to the Lord in prayer regarding those persecuting him (Nah 1:7).

a. Do you trust in God?

b. Trust is about turning over control to someone else and depending upon them for the outcome.

c. It is often difficult for us to just leave it up to God and not try to do something about it ourselves.

d. Abraham was a man who demonstrated he trusted God by leaving all that he had and had known to obey God’s command in going to a place that God would show him.

e. Abraham trusted God that the outcome would be good and beneficial.

3. David did too and so he placed his trust in God.

B. Lest he tear my soul ... (7:2).

2 Lest he tear <02963> (8799) my soul <05315> like a lion <0738>, rending it in pieces <06561> (8802), while there is none to deliver <05337> (8688). {none…: Heb. not a deliverer}

1. David described the oppression he was going through as having his soul torn “like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver”.

2. soul, Strong’s - 05315. vpn NEPHESH neh’- fesh; from 05314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental):— any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire, X [dis-]contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-)self, them (your)-selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they, thing, (X she) will, X would have it. Greek 5590

AV-soul 475, life 117, person 29, mind 15, heart 15, creature 9, body 8, himself 8, yourselves 6, dead 5, will 4, desire 4, man 3, themselves 3, any 3, appetite 2, misc 47; 753 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) dubious 1h) activity of the will 1h1) dubious 1i) activity of the character 1i1) dubious

a. David probably feared for his life.

b. In this we see why David so urgently sought deliverance from his enemy.

c. He pleaded against his accuser to God.

d. Whatever may be our situation in which we find ourselves, we can go to God with it.

Transition: However, in readying ourselves to accuse someone of wronging us, it is important that we do a self-examination to be sure that we not guilty of the accusations made against us. This is what David did.

II. THE RIGHTEOUS AND THEIR RIGHTEOUS JUDGE - GOD (7:3-9).

A. ... O LORD my God, if I have ... Let the enemy persecute my soul ... (7:3-5).

3 O LORD <03068> my God <0430>, if I have done <06213> (8804) this; if there be <03426> iniquity <05766> in my hands <03709>;

4 If I have rewarded <01580> (8804) evil <07451> unto him that was at peace <07999> (8802) with me; (yea, I have delivered <02502> (8762) him that without cause <07387> is mine enemy <06887> (8802):)

5 Let the enemy <0341> (8802) persecute <07291> (8762) my soul <05315>, and take <05381> (8686) it; yea, let him tread down <07429> (8799) my life <02416> upon the earth <0776>, and lay <07931> (8686) mine honour <03519> in the dust <06083>. Selah <05542>.

1. David was willing to face his penalty if he that was truly guilty of sin against Cush (Psa ).

2. It is very important in coping with perceived slander or some such other thing that indeed it is there is no truth in the accusations.

a. If it is true we need to be willing to accept our penalty (1Pe 2:20).

b. Politically, due to the overwhelming support in the recent election for godly morals, I have no doubt we will soon start hearing of slander toward Christians, particularly from the Hollywood crowd.

c. Following the horrific events of 9/11 some journalists and others began to refer to evangelicals as the "Christian Taliban.

d. Christianity has been viewed for example by Andrew Sullivan as, " ... fundamentalism against faiths of all kinds that are at peace with freedom and modernity.” [New York Times, October]

(1) It would seem he was writing that fundamentalists (Christians) are enemies of freedom.

(2) Anthony Lewis, a consistent advocate of liberal positions, wrote in an article, “The phenomenon of religious fundamentalism is not to be found in Islam alone. Fundamentalist Christians in America, believing that the Bible’s story of creation is the literal truth, question not only Darwin, but the scientific method that has made contemporary civilization possible.” [New York Times]

(3) Obviously he thinks Christianity with its moral values is backwards.

(4) Atlantic Monthly (February, 2002) printed that "Christianity in developing nations would be the 'big 'problem cult' of the 21st century."

(5) He thought of Christianity as bot a problem plaguing the world and a cult.

(6) We may soon find ourselves in a similar situation to David.

e. Sometimes there is very little we can do of ourselves to end the situation and so we must turn elsewhere, putting it under the power of God.

The Petition For Action

6 Arise <06965> (8798), O LORD <03068>, in thine anger <0639>, lift up <05375> (8734) thyself because of the rage <05678> of mine enemies <06887> (8802): and awake <05782> (8798) for me to the judgment <04941> that thou hast commanded <06680> (8765).

7 So shall the congregation <05712> of the people <03816> compass thee about <05437> (8779): for their sakes therefore return <07725> (8798) thou on high <04791>.

3. David petitioned the Lord to judge his enemy.

David’s Confidence

B. The LORD shall judge the people ... (7:8-9).

8 The LORD <03068> shall judge <01777> (8799) the people <05971>: judge <08199> (8798) me, O LORD <03068>, according to my righteousness <06664>, and according to mine integrity <08537> that is in me.

1. David knew that God will judge the wicked and called upon God to judge him “according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity.”

a. We each are to live righteously and with integrity (cp. Mat 5:8).

b. Living according to the will of God will give any of us the same confidence as had David.

c. As we peer privately into our minds do we have the same confidence to call upon God to judge us?

9 Oh let the wickedness <07451> of the wicked <07563> come to an end <01584> (8799); but establish <03559> (8787) the just <06662>: for the righteous <06662> God <0430> trieth <0974> (8802) the hearts <03826> and reins <03629>.

2. God will judge everyone and he will “establish the just.”

Transition: Having turned to God and having found he was not wanting, David left the matter with God knowing God’s character for justice (cp. Rom 12:19).

III. THE RIGHTEOUS AND THEIR ASSURANCE (7:10-17).

God’s Attitude Towards Sin

A. ... God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked ... (7:10-13).

10 ¶ My defence <04043> is of God <0430>, which saveth <03467> (8688) the upright <03477> in heart <03820>. {My…: Heb. My buckler is upon God}

11 God <0430> judgeth <08199> (8802) the righteous <06662>, and God <0410> is angry <02194> (8802) with the wicked every day <03117>. {judgeth…: or, is a righteous judge}

1. God is a defense to the righteous concerning judgement but not so for the wicked.

12 If he turn <07725> (8799) not, he will whet <03913> (8799) his sword <02719>; he hath bent <01869> (8804) his bow <07198>, and made it ready <03559> (8787).

13 He hath also prepared <03559> (8689) for him the instruments <03627> of death <04194>; he ordaineth <06466> (8799) his arrows <02671> against the persecutors <01814> (8801).

2. Therefore, it is important that the wicked turn from their wickedness because if they will not turn from their wickedness, God will judge them with his wrath (2Th 1:7-9).

The Snare Of Sin

B. ... he travaileth with iniquity ... His mischief shall return upon his own head ... (7:14-17).

14 Behold, he travaileth <02254> (8762) with iniquity <0205>, and hath conceived <02029> (8804) mischief <05999>, and brought forth <03205> (8804) falsehood <08267>.

15 He made <03738> (8804) a pit <0953>, and digged <02658> (8799) it, and is fallen <05307> (8799) into the ditch <07845> which he made <06466> (8799). {He made a pit: Heb. He hath digged a pit}

1. David pointed out the likely outcome of the wicked and that was that their traps would spring on them (cp. Num 32:23).

a. A good example of it was with Haman in the book of Esther, in his attempt to kill Mordecai.

16 His mischief <05999> shall return <07725> (8799) upon his own head <07218>, and his violent <02555> dealing shall come down <03381> (8799) upon his own pate <06936>.

2. David said the outcome of “mischief” of the wicked can sometimes come back like a boomerang.

a. A good example of it was with King Ahab and Naboth (1Ki 21).

b. King Ahab wanted Naboth’s vineyard so much that the king’s wife Jezebel murdered Naboth.

c. The prophecy was made that she I the same place (1Ki 21:19).

17 I will praise <03034> (8686) the LORD <03068> according to his righteousness <06664>: and will sing praise <02167> (8762) to the name <08034> of the LORD <03068> most high <05945>.

Conclusion:

The great of hope of what distresses the righteous is that God will set all things right. Therefore, in all things, it is to God we need to turn.

In charity through Christ, Ra y mo nd W is e man

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