A shiggaion [probably a literary or musical term] of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush, a Benjamite.

Note: This psalm may be called the “Song of the Slandered Saint.”

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A. Prayer for Refuge

7:1 Lord my God [this is an expression of confidence that God cares for His own], I take refuge in you [the safest and most secure refuge; “It is never right to distrust God and never vain to trust in Him.” (Spurgeon)]; save and deliver me [something that only God could do] from all who pursue me,

7:2 or [David felt totally vulnerable and in great danger apart from the help of God] they will tear me apart like a lion [evil metaphorically portrayed as a lion] and rip me to pieces [Satan is like a lion seeking to rip apart and devour the faithful (1 Peter 5:8)] with no one to rescue me.

B. Oath of Innocence

7:3 Lord my God, [David protests his innocence and swears he is innocent; he affirms that he has done nothing to either friend or foe] if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands—

7:4 if I have repaid my ally [“him who is at peace with me” or someone like a close friend] with evil or without cause have robbed my foe—

7:5 then [David would be willing to suffer if he were indeed guilty of harming friend or foe] let my enemy [evil metaphorically portrayed as an army] pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust.

C. God’s Righteous Judgment

7:6 [David called on God to act on his behalf and to render judgment] [note the repetition of his prayer…] [1] Arise, Lord, in your anger; [2] rise up against the rage of my enemies. [3] Awake, my God; decree justice.

7:7 Let the assembled peoples gather around you [God can call nations to account], while you sit enthroned over them on high [God rules over the nations].

7:8 Let the Lord judge the peoples. Vindicate [by judging evil and calling his enemies into account] me, Lord, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity [David was not sinless but believed himself to be a man of integrity], O Most High.

7:9 Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure—
you, the righteous God who probes minds and hearts [“minds and hearts” is a reference to man’s innermost being; cf. Jer. 17:9].

7:10 My shield [protection] is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart [those who have integrity].

7:11 God is a righteous judge, a God who displays [expresses] his wrath every day.

7:12 If he does not relent, he [God described in terms of a warrior; weapons are metaphors of God’s judgment] will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow.

7:13 He has prepared his deadly weapons; he makes ready his flaming arrows [arrows dipped in flammable material and set aflame before being shot; “God’s arrows never miss the mark.” (Spurgeon)].

D. Judgment of the Guilty

7:14 Whoever is pregnant with evil conceives trouble and gives birth [evil portrayed in the language of childbirth] to disillusionment.

7:15 [the doctrine of the retribution of evil; cf. Ps. 9:15] Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit they have made.

7:16 The trouble they cause recoils on them; their violence comes down on their own heads.

E. Praise of God’s Righteousness

7:17 I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness [David rejoiced in God’s righteousness]; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High [El Elyon; the despair at the start of the psalm is transformed into hope that is finally expressed in praising God].