Psalm 7

Read Psalm 7

“O Lord my God, in you do I take refuge.” God is able to do far more than we can ask or even think. There is no one wiser than God, and there is no one who loves us more than He does. David embraced a life of faith and found God to be his refuge.

The author of this psalm faced “a lion” who was ready to tear his soul apart. Could this be Cush of the tribe of Benjamin referred to in the title? There could be a connection between what David saw and what he did not see. David saw his mortal enemies, who charged him with stealing what he had not taken. He could not see the demonic lion that was seeking someone to devour.

God sees everything, not only in David's enemies, but in David himself. He asked the Lord to judge him if he was lying. This was a dangerous request, yet David knew that he was innocent in this conflict and so he spoke with holy boldness.

He called upon God to rise up against those who were falsely accusing him and seeking his destruction. “Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me.” These words seem to stretch beyond David to a man who knew himself to be innocent not in just one instance but in all things.

God himself is the Righteous One. He has determined that through Christ He will be a shield for those whom He calls to be His righteous people forever. A shield against what? Against Himself. In His justice He must punish the guilty. In mercy He has sent His Son to deflect His wrath by taking that heavy blow upon Himself.

The way for a man to have Jesus as his Shield is to repent of his sin. If a man does not repent, God will get His sword ready to use against him. He will bend His bow and place a deadly arrow within it.

When Jesus came preaching the good news, He called people to repent. That call is still in effect today, but only those who trust God and hear His voice will turn away from sin and turn toward God.

The man who will not repent and believe continues to work up evil plans in his heart, but the righteous worshiper will sing for joy. He will sing praise to the Most High God forever.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

O Lord, help us and save us from the hand of those who pursue us without cause. Grant deliverance to the oppressed who love You with an everlasting love. Thank You for the vindication of Your Son, even through the horror of the cross. We rejoice in His resurrection. Deliver Your church from all injustice and falsehood. We will give You thanks and sing praise to Your Name forever.