Overview (NET) The psalmist asks the Lord to intervene and deliver him from his enemies. He protests his innocence and declares his confidence in God’s justice.
In the title of the song, we know there was a particular man, Cush, who was the enemy of David. Why did David talk to God and not this man? What kind of help you would asked God if you have an enemy who pursued you and being a big threat to your life?
v.1
O LORD my God, in you I have taken shelter.
Deliver me from all who chase me! Rescue me!
Because David knew that God have been his shelter, therefore, when danger came his reaction was to ask God to deliver him. (Deliver-the concept of salvation in NT).
v.3-4
7:3 O LORD my God, if I have done what they say,
or am guilty of unjust actions,
7:4 or have wronged my ally,
or helped his lawless enemy,
NET, the psalmist affirms that he has not wronged his ally, nor has he given aid to his ally’s enemies. Ancient Near Eastern treaties typically included such clauses, with one or both parties agreeing not to lend aid to the treaty partner’s enemies.
When David asked God to save him the first thing that he came to mind is whether he has done anything wrong. He knew that God would not listened him this way and the pursuing of the enemy was justified.
Reflection: when we pray and ask God to help us will we reflect in ourselves first? Have I sinned and would not be able to come to God with a clean heart? Did I got the problem because of the wrong things/choices I have done/made?
v.6-8 After he examined himself he was confident to ask God to judge. He knew God would do something to the wicked.
7:6 Stand up angrily, LORD!
Rise up with raging fury against my enemies!
Wake up for my sake and execute the judgment you have decreed for them!
7:7 The countries are assembled all around you;
take once more your rightful place over them!
7:8a The LORD judges the nations.
Note the word, "judgment," and "judges," is repeated in this section.
NET, The LORD judges the nations. In hyperbolic fashion the psalmist pictures the nations assembled around the divine throne (v. 7a). He urges God to take his rightful place on the throne (v. 7b) and then pictures him making judicial decisions that vindicate the innocent (see vv. 8–16).
v.9-17
2 groups of people: "innocent," blameless," v.8, "innocent" v.9, "morally upright" v.10 vs "the "evil deeds of the wicked" v.9, "a person does not repent," v.12, "the one who is pregnant with wickedness, who conceives destructive plans, and gives birth to harmful lies v.14" (NET, The psalmist metaphorically pictures the typical sinner as a pregnant woman, who is ready to give birth to wicked, destructive schemes and actions). That 2nd group of people would fell into their own pit. Since the author was so sure that he was the 1st group of people he knew that he would be fine and he started to thank God and praises God
v.17 I will thank the LORD for his justice;
I will sing praises to the sovereign LORD!
Reflection: I will assume if I write a song against my enemy I will ask God to help me and destroy him, but that is not the way David wrote this Psalm. God helps the innocent, the blameless and the upright. Not only in action, but also in our heart v.9. If I want God's help I have to examine myself whether I am one of these people. David was very confident that he was and therefore he could thank and praise God. Can we?
Audrey
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