Psalm 7

Today's scripture is Psalm 7. Go here to read it in your preferred version.

O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:
² Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
³ O Lord my God, If I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;
⁴ If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)
⁵ Let 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.
⁶ Arise, 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.
⁷ So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.
⁸ The Lord shall judge the people: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.
⁹ Oh 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.
¹¹ God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
¹² If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.
¹³ He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.
¹⁴ Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.
¹⁵ He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.
¹⁶ His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.
¹⁷ I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high.

This is a song written by David, apparently when someone was verbally attacking him. David did turn to God in this time which is what we should do.

In verse 1, David acknowledges that he's putting his trust in God to save him and deliver him from his enemies. He is totally alone and without help (verse 2) so he knows he has to rely on God. Apparently David has been accused of something, because he basically says here, "If I've done this which I was accused of, then allow the persecution to continue... lay down my honor..." (verses 3-5). But David feels that he has not done anything evil to anyone he was at peace with (verse 4); in fact, he definitely spared Saul's life twice even as Saul was chasing him in an attempt to kill him (1 Samuel 24 and 26). But because David is sure of his innocence he prays that God's wrath would come against the ones accusing him of these things (verse 6). In verse 7 it looks as though David is speaking on behalf of all accused Christians - we gather and plead for the same things as David, and we acknowledge God's rightful place which is high on His judgment seat. Yes, God will judge all people. As believers, we should want to be judged by God. Corrected. So we ask God to judge our insides. Judge my righteousness and my integrity (verse 8) which is really not good at all. Try (judge) my heart (which is not very good on it's own either!), but I can ask to be judged internally because God is my defense (verse 10)! Nothing of what I've done. God judges the righteous so we can learn and grow from these things.

Yes, God is angry with the wicked every day. Just like He gives us the chance for a new beginning every day. And yes, for those who don't repent, He will go to battle against them ("whet His sword", "bent His bow", "prepared instruments of death", "ordain arrows")... it all sounds very harsh but God gives so many opportunities for people to come to Him. These people have dug a ditch which they've fallen into, and they will reap what they sow. But when God comes through for us and shows He's on our side we must make sure to praise Him for that. 

Questions? Comments?