Psalms 7

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 7

1¶ Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the LORD, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite. O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:

2Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending [it] in pieces, while [there is] none to deliver.

3O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;

4If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)

5Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take [it]; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.

6Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me [to] the judgment [that] thou hast commanded.

7So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.

8The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity [that is] in me.

9Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.

10¶ My defence [is] of God, which saveth the upright in heart.

11God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry [with the wicked] every day.

12If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.

13He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.

14Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.

15He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch [which] he made.

16His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.

17I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Psalm 7 is a fervent prayer of David seeking deliverance and vindication from his persecutors, specifically concerning Cush the Benjamite. David appeals to God's justice, asserting his own innocence and asking God to judge him according to his integrity. The psalm concludes with a declaration of God's righteous judgment against the wicked and David's resolve to praise the Lord.

Medium Summary

In Psalm 7, David appeals to the LORD for salvation from his persecutors, expressing deep trust in God's ability to deliver him from those who seek to destroy his soul. He vehemently denies any wrongdoing or treachery towards his enemies, even asserting that he has delivered those who were unjustly his foes, and invites divine judgment upon himself if his hands are stained with iniquity. David calls upon God to arise in anger and execute the commanded judgment, not only for his personal vindication but also so that the congregation of people might gather around God. He asks the LORD to judge him according to his righteousness and integrity, praying for the cessation of wickedness and the establishment of the just. The psalm emphasizes God as the defender of the upright, who daily judges the righteous and is angry with the wicked, preparing instruments of death for those who do not repent. It concludes by illustrating how the mischief conceived by the wicked ultimately returns upon their own heads, leading David to praise the Most High for His righteousness.

Long Summary

Psalm 7, a Shiggaion of David, opens with an earnest plea to the LORD for deliverance from persecutors, particularly in relation to Cush the Benjamite, expressing a profound trust in God as his refuge. David fears being torn apart like a lion's prey if not delivered. He then makes a solemn oath of innocence, challenging God to let his enemies prevail if he has committed any iniquity, rewarded evil to those at peace with him, or failed to deliver an enemy without cause. This strong assertion of blamelessness forms the basis of his appeal for divine intervention. David implores the LORD to arise in anger and execute the judgment He has commanded, not only for his personal vindication but also to draw the congregation of people to God. He specifically requests that God judge him according to his righteousness and integrity, recognizing God as the trier of hearts and reins. The psalmist prays for the end of the wicked's influence and the establishment of the just. He declares God to be his ultimate defense, the one who saves the upright in heart. The psalm further elaborates on God's character as a righteous judge, who is daily angry with the wicked. It vividly portrays God's readiness to act against the unrepentant, depicting Him as whetting His sword, bending His bow, and preparing instruments of death and arrows against persecutors. The text then uses a powerful metaphor to describe the self-destructive nature of wickedness: the wicked conceive mischief, travail with iniquity, and bring forth falsehood, ultimately falling into the very pit they dug for others. This concept of poetic justice underscores that the mischief and violent dealing of the wicked will inevitably return upon their own heads. The psalm concludes with David's unwavering commitment to praise the LORD according to His righteousness and to sing praises to the name of the LORD Most High.

Core Concepts

  • Divine DeliveranceDavid's earnest prayer for God to save him from his persecutors, expressing trust in God as his only refuge and protector from those who seek to destroy him.
  • Assertion of InnocenceDavid's strong declaration of blamelessness regarding accusations, inviting God's judgment upon himself if he has committed any iniquity or returned evil for good.
  • God's Righteous JudgmentThe central theme of God as the ultimate judge who discerns the hearts and reins, judging the righteous according to their integrity and being angry with the wicked daily.
  • Consequences of WickednessThe depiction of the wicked's self-destruction, where their conceived mischief and violent dealings ultimately return upon their own heads, like falling into a pit they dug.
  • God's Readiness to PunishAn anthropomorphic portrayal of God as a warrior preparing His weapons (sword, bow, arrows, instruments of death) to execute judgment against the unrepentant wicked.
  • Praise for God's RighteousnessDavid's concluding resolve to praise the LORD for His inherent righteousness and to sing praises to the name of the LORD Most High, acknowledging His just character.