In our study of Psalm 7, we see how David was able to sing even though he had been falsely accused of treason. As Christians, we will be falsely accused of many things but, just like David, we can still praise God while we go through it.
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A shiggaion of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush, a Benjamite.
We are given the background for this song of praise. The term "shiggaion" only appears one other time in the Bible (Habakkuk 3). The word seems to mean a "variable song" speaking of the fact that it is partly a song of joy and other parts are a song of sorrow. Cush went to King Saul and falsely accused (slander) David of conspiring to take the throne.
A shiggayon of David, which he sang to Adonai because of Kush the Ben-Y’mini: Adonai my God, in you I take refuge. Save me from all my pursuers, and rescue me; otherwise, they will maul me like a lion and tear me apart, with no rescuer present.
David's reaction to this false accusation was to take it to God in a prayer song. He realized that his only hope was found in God and so it was his first reaction in times of joy as well as in times of sorrow. David was described as a man after God's own heart (see 1 Samuel 13:14) and we see that it is "God's heart" that His people would turn to Him as their first and only option when faced with trials. Just as David knew that God was his refuge, we can know the same in our hearts by the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Adonai my God, if I have caused this, if there is guilt on my hands, if I paid back evil to him who was at peace with me, when I even spared those who opposed me without cause; then let the enemy pursue me until he overtakes me and tramples my life down into the earth; yes, let him lay my honor in the dust. (Selah)
We see David declaring his innocence in this passage. He is saying that it would be right if he was being pursued for something that he really did but he is not guilty.
Rise up, Adonai, in your anger! Arouse yourself against the fury of my foes. Wake up for me; you commanded justice. May the assembly of the peoples surround you; may you return to rule over them from on high. Adonai, who dispenses judgment to the peoples,
You can almost feel David asking God to call His court into session. He is confident that God is just and so he appeals to Him. We, too, can be confident of the justice of God and it can lift us up in the face of our persecutors.
judge me, Adonai, according to my righteousness and as my integrity deserves. Let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and establish the righteous; since you, righteous God, test hearts and minds.
David's plea for this court session is that God will search the hearts and minds of everyone and make His judgement. This reminds us that God not only judges actions but also motives (the reason behind the action) and that comes from the heart and the mind.
My shield is God, who saves the upright in heart.
David uses the name El Elyon (God Most High) which speaks of the fact that He created everything and so is in charge of all things. He is supreme and has the final authority over all things. He has the ability to shield His people from the attacks of the enemy. If we are in Christ, then, like David we are His people and this promise is for us as well.
God is a righteous judge, a God whose anger is present every day. If a person will not repent, he sharpens his sword. He has bent his bow, made it ready; he has also prepared for him weapons of death, his arrows, which he has made into burning shafts.
God makes judgements every day as He is active in the world. He is always ready to judge but He is also patient.
Look how the wicked is pregnant with evil; he conceives trouble, gives birth to lies. He makes a pit, digs it deep, and falls into the hole he made. His mischief will return onto his own head, his violence will recoil onto his own skull.
David knows that God is just in His judgement and gives to everyone as he deserves. As Paul said, in Galatians 6, "a man reaps what he sows" and that is what David is talking about here. A man can plant the seed with his actions but only God can make it grow.
I thank Adonai for his righteousness and sing praise to the name of Adonai ‘Elyon.
David praises God because of who He is and the fact that is decisions are just. That is the same God that we serve today and, so, we can also trust in His righteousness and sing in the face of the enemy and his tactics.
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