PSALM 7

Psalm 7:1-17 (ESV) A Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning the words of Cush, a Benjaminite. O Lord my God, in you do I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and deliver me, [2] lest like a lion they tear my soul apart, rending it in pieces, with none to deliver. [3] O Lord my God, if I have done this, if there is wrong in my hands, [4] if I have repaid my friend with evil or plundered my enemy without cause, [5] let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it, and let him trample my life to the ground and lay my glory in the dust. Selah [6] Arise, O Lord, in your anger; lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies; awake for me; you have appointed a judgment. [7] Let the assembly of the peoples be gathered about you; over it return on high. [8] The Lord judges the peoples; judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me. [9] Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and may you establish the righteous— you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God! [10] My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart. [11] God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day. [12] If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow; [13] he has prepared for him his deadly weapons, making his arrows fiery shafts. [14] Behold, the wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies. [15] He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made. [16] His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends. [17] I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

Once again David is beseeching God in a time of trouble. He approaches God over the “words of Cush, a Benjaminite.” We are unsure who this person was, but we can infer from the contents of this Psalm that this a person who opposes David in a vicious manner. In verse 2 David says “lest like a lion they tear my soul apart, rending it in pieces, with none to deliver.” This likely calls to the Christian’s mind the same language used of the Devil regarding us in 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (ESV)

In the course of his pleading, David appeals to his innocence in the matter at hand. In verses 3 and 4, he calls upon God to search him out to see if he has done any wrong, and if so, to then punish. He continues that theme in verse 8, “The Lord judges the peoples; judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me.” This verses sounds problematic to the Christian ear when failing to consider the context, but remember David is not talking about his ultimate righteousness, but his righteous actions in the given circumstance.

David then calls upon God’s justice to be revealed. He calls upon him arise and implement justice, to come to his aid, not only his but the entire ‘assembly of the peoples.’ David leaves justice, judgment, and retribution up to God. This was characteristic of David’s prayer life and well as his practice. On two occasions at least, David refused to kill Saul even though he had clear opportunity.

Before we flee to God seeking retribution for the wrongs we have suffered, let us be careful to make sure there is no fault in ourselves. We may only confidently call on God as our shield and avenger during these times when we have acted uprightly. Let this be a call to us to act uprightly toward others, to be honest, fair, and righteous regardless of whom we are dealing with.

Let us also be reminded of our destructive enemy, Satan. He will seek our destruction through his action, and our downfall through slander and lies. We must be ever conscious of the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for us as he seeks to bring us down. Let us call on our advocate and defender Jesus Christ to plead our case against the accuser. Let us call upon our God, our refuge and shield to hold us safe in the attack. We can be sure that the attacks will come. We can even be sure that they will be vicious and painful to us. But we can also be assured that “My shield is with God who saves the upright heart.” Not upright because of our innocence, for we are not innocent, but because of the righteousness and blood of Jesus Christ.

PSALM 4 DEVOTION

Psalm 4:1-8 (ESV)
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have given me relief when I was in distress.
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!
[2] O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?
How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah
[3] But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself;
the Lord hears when I call to him.
[4] Be angry, and do not sin;
ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
[5] Offer right sacrifices,
and put your trust in the Lord.
[6] There are many who say, "Who will show us some good?
Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!"
[7] You have put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and wine abound.
[8] In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Once again we read from David a Psalm during times of trouble. A cry to “God of my righteousness” asking for relief and vindication. David knows of the trustworthiness of the Lord from his own experience “You have given me relief when I was in distress.” He remembers God’s faithfulness and his responsibilities.

In verse 3, David reminds us of one of the great truths of Scriptures - “the Lord has set apart the godly for himself.” When this truth is rightly understood, it becomes easier to do those things David speaks.

When we understand that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself, it makes sense that he would hear us as we call. In times of trouble and anger over situations around us, we will be still and not sin, not acting out, but trust in the Lord.

When we understand that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself, we would expect him to put joy in our hearts, and more joy than the world can muster with its worldly ways of producing joy. So many look for escape to worldly methods of soothing their hearts and lives when they are in distress. We turn to things that satisfy the senses when we ought to turn to those things that satisfy the soul. Why would we, the godly, the people set apart for God, do this when we have the ultimate source of joy and peace as our Father and our Protector. We are able to lie down in peace as well, because the godly are for him and He makes them dwell safely.

As we approach the Lord in our times of fear and desperation, let us remember that even in these times, we have been set apart by God for Himself. That even in the darkest of hours, it is still His pleasure and purposes that are being accomplished in, with, and through us. So let us cry to Him, trust Him, rest in Him, and take our joy in Him which is far greater than the joy of the world. Let us be completely settled under His wing.