Psalms 7
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Shiggaion--a plaintive song or elegy. Though obscure in details, this title seems to intimate that the occasion of this Psalm was some event in David's persecution by Saul. He prays for relief because he is innocent, and God will be glorified in his vindication. He thus passes to the celebration of God's righteous government, in defending the upright and punishing the wicked, whose malignant devices will result in their own ruin; and, confident of God's aid, he closes with rejoicing. (Psa. 7:1-17) Though many enemies set upon him, one is singled out as prominent, and compared to a wild beast tearing his prey to pieces (compare Sa1 20:1; Sa1 23:23; Sa1 26:19).
Open source ↗O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust,.... The psalmist expresses his interest in God as his covenant God, and his trust and confidence in him; and with these he sets out as the stay of his soul, and his bulwark against the fears of his enemies; and he does not say that he had trusted in God, or would for the future trust in him; but that he did trust in him, and continued to do so. And God is to be trusted in at all times; in times of affliction, temptation, and desertion; and these the psalmist premises to his petition, which follows, as an encouragement to him to hope for success, since God was his God, and none that ever trusted in him were confounded; save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me; persecution is no new thing to the people of God; David had his persecutors, and many of them; the Church, in Jeremiah's time, had hers; the saints, in the times of the apostles, and in all ages since, have had theirs. Every one that will live godly in Christ Jesus must expect persecution in one shape or another; and there is none can save and deliver from it but God, and he can and will in his own time, Co2 1:10. David was sensible of this, and therefore applies to him, and him only; and not to an arm of flesh, to his friends, or to neighbouring princes and powers.
Open source ↗(Heb.: 7:2-3) With this word of faith, love, and hope בּך חסיתּי (as in Psa 141:8), this holy captatio benevolentiae, David also begins in Psa 11:1; Psa 16:1; Psa 31:2, cf. Psa 71:1. The perf. is inchoative: in Thee have I taken my refuge, equivalent to: in Thee do I trust. The transition from the multitude of his persecutors to the sing. in Psa 7:3 is explained most naturally, as one looks at the inscription, thus: that of the many the one who is just at the time the worst of all comes prominently before his mind. The verb טרף from the primary signification carpere (which corresponds still more exactly to חרף) means both to tear off and to tear in pieces (whence טרפה that which is torn in pieces); and פּרק from its primary signification frangere means both to break loose and to break in pieces, therefore to liberate, e.g., in Psa 136:24, and to break in small pieces, Kg1 19:11. The persecutors are conceived of as wild animals, as lions which rend their prey and craunch its bones. Thus blood-thirsty are they for his soul, i.e., his life. After the painful unrest of this first strophe, the second begins the tone of defiant self-consciousness.
Open source ↗Shiggaion is a song or psalm (the word is used so only here and Hab 3:1) - a wandering song (so some), the matter and composition of the several parts being different, but artificially put together - a charming song (so others), very delightful. David not only penned it, but sang it himself in a devout religious manner unto the Lord, concerning the words or affairs of Cush the Benjamite, that is, of Saul himself, whose barbarous usage of David bespoke him rather a Cushite, or Ethiopian, than a true-born Israelite. Or, more likely, it was some kinsman of Saul named Cush, who was an inveterate enemy to David, misrepresented him to Saul as a traitor, and (which was very needless) exasperated Saul against him, one of those children of men, children of Belial indeed, whom David complains of (Sa1 26:19), that made mischief between him and Saul. David, thus basely abused, has recourse to the Lord. The injuries men do us should drive us to God, for to him we may commit our cause. Nay, he sings to the Lord; his spirit was not ruffled by it, nor cast down, but so composed and cheerful that he was still in tune for sacred songs and it did not occasion one jarring string in his harp. Thus let the injuries we receive from men, instead of provoking our passions, kindle and excite our devotions. In these verses, I. He puts himself under God's protection and flies to him for succour and shelter (Psa 7:1): "Lord, save me, and deliver me from the power and malice of all those that persecute me, that they may not have their will against me." He pleads, 1. His relation to God. "Thou art my God, and therefore whither else should I go but to thee? Thou art my God, and therefore my shield (Gen 15:1), my God, and therefore I am one of thy servants, who may expect to be protected." 2. His confi…
Open source ↗Ps 7 This psalm consists of a lament (7:1-2), an oath of innocence (7:3-5), an appeal to God’s justice (7:6-9), an affirmation of God’s just kingship (7:10-16), and a concluding hymn of praise (7:17). 7:title Cush, an unknown person of the tribe of Benjamin, remained hostile to David. 7:1 Persecutors (a common term for “enemies”) intentionally seek out people in order to destroy them (31:15; 56:1-2; 71:11; 143:3).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
שִׁגָּיוֹן (shiggâyôwn, H7692) — properly, aberration, i.e. (technically) a dithyramb or rambling poem דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse שִׁיר (shîyr, H7891) — to sing יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause כּוּשׁ (Kûwsh, H3568) — Cush (or Ethiopia), the name of a son of Ham, and of his territory; also of an Israelite בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בֶּן־יְמִינִי (Ben-yᵉmîynîy, H1145) — a Benjaminite, or descendent of Benjamin אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… חָסָה (châçâh, H2620) — to flee for protection; figuratively, to confide in יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, H3467) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to… רָדַף (râdaph, H7291) — to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by) נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
Open source ↗טָרַף (ṭâraph, H2963) — to pluck off or pull to pieces; causatively to supply with food (as in morsels) נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… אֲרִי (ʼărîy, H738) — a lion פָּרַק (pâraq, H6561) — to break off or crunch; figuratively, to deliver נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יֵשׁ (yêsh, H3426) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection) עֶוֶל (ʻevel, H5766) — (moral) evil כַּף (kaph, H3709) — the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of…
Open source ↗גָּמַל (gâmal, H1580) — to treat a person (well or ill), i.e. benefit or requite; by implication (of toil), to… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) שָׁלַם (shâlam, H7999) — to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed;… חָלַץ (châlats, H2502) — to pull off; hence (intensively) to strip, (reflex.) to depart; by implication, to… רֵיקָם (rêyqâm, H7387) — emptily; figuratively (objective) ineffectually, (subjective) undeservedly צָרַר (tsârar, H6887) — to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive
Open source ↗אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary רָדַף (râdaph, H7291) — to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by) נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… נָשַׂג (nâsag, H5381) — to reach (literally or figuratively) רָמַס (râmaç, H7429) — to tread upon (as a potter, in walking or abusively) חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) שָׁכַן (shâkan, H7931) — to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively) כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness עָפָר (ʻâphâr, H6083) — dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud סֶלָה (çelâh, H5542) — suspension (of music), i.e. pause
Open source ↗עֵדָה (ʻêdâh, H5712) — a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd) לְאֹם (lᵉʼôm, H3816) — a community סָבַב (çâbab, H5437) — to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… מָרוֹם (mârôwm, H4791) — altitude, i.e. concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דִּין (dîyn, H1777) — a straight course, i.e. sail direct עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or… צֶדֶק (tsedeq, H6664) — the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity תֹּם (tôm, H8537) — completeness; figuratively, prosperity; usually (morally) innocence
Open source ↗רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person גָּמַר (gâmar, H1584) — to end (in the sense of completion or failure) כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a… צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… בָּחַן (bâchan, H974) — to test (especially metals); generally and figuratively, to investigate לִבָּה (libbâh, H3826) — the heart כִּלְיָה (kilyâh, H3629) — a kidney (as an essential organ); figuratively, the mind (as the interior self)
Open source ↗מָגֵן (mâgên, H4043) — a shield (i.e. the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, H3467) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to… יָשָׁר (yâshâr, H3477) — straight (literally or figuratively) לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the…
Open source ↗אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or… צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just אֵל (ʼêl, H410) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity) זָעַם (zâʻam, H2194) — properly, to foam at the mouth, i.e. to be enraged יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… לָטַשׁ (lâṭash, H3913) — properly, to hammer out (an edge), i.e. to sharpen חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… דָּרַךְ (dârak, H1869) — to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string abow (by treading on it in bending) קֶשֶׁת (qesheth, H7198) — a bow, forshooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a…
Open source ↗כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a… כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) מָוֶת (mâveth, H4194) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades);… פָּעַל (pâʻal, H6466) — to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise חֵץ (chêts, H2671) — properly, a piercer, i.e. an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of God)… דָּלַק (dâlaq, H1814) — to flame (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗חָבַל (châbal, H2254) — to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind; specifically, by a pledge; figuratively, to… אָוֶן (ʼâven, H205) — strictly nothingness; also trouble. vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol הָרָה (hârâh, H2029) — to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively) עָמָל (ʻâmâl, H5999) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. of body or mind יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show… שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, H8267) — an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
My times are in Your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should entrust their souls to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
This is a prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth:
The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
But the LORD is with me like a fearsome warrior. Therefore, my persecutors will stumble and will not prevail. Since they have not succeeded, they will be utterly put to shame, with an everlasting disgrace that will never be forgotten.
Vindicate me, O LORD! For I have walked with integrity; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my greatest joy. I will praise You with the harp, O God, my God.
I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me severely, like an untrained calf. Restore me, that I may return, for You are the LORD my God.
O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me.
You understand, O LORD; remember me and attend to me. Avenge me against my persecutors. In Your patience, do not take me away. Know that I endure reproach for Your honor.