Psalms
7:1-17. 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.
1, 2. Though many enemies set upon him, one is singled out as
prominent, and compared to a wild beast tearing his prey to pieces (compare 1 Samuel
20:1, 23:23,
26:19).
3. if I have done this--that is, the crime charged in the "words
of Cush" (compare 1 Samuel
24:9).
4. If I have injured my friend. yea, I have delivered, &c.--This makes a good sense, but interrupts
the course of thought, and hence it is proposed to render, "if I have
spoiled my enemy"--in either case (compare 1 Samuel
24:4-17, 31:8,11).
5. This is the consequence, if such has been his conduct. mine honour--(compare Psalms
3:3, 4:2)--my
personal and official dignity.
6. God is involved as if hitherto careless of him (Psalms
3:7, 9:18). rage--the most violent, like a flood rising over a river's banks. the judgment . . . commanded--or, "ordained"; a just
decision.
7. compass thee--as those seeking justice. return thou on high--assume the judgment seat, to be honored as a just
Ruler by them.
8. Though not claiming innocence in general, he can confidently do so
in this case, and in demanding from the Judge of all the earth a judgment, he
virtually asks acquittal.
9. the hearts and reins--the affections and motives of men, or the
seat of them (compare Psalms
16:7, 26:2);
as we use heart and bosom or breast.
11. judgeth--as in Psalms
7:8. the wicked--Though not expressed, they are implied, for they alone are
left as objects of anger.
12, 13. They are here distinctly pointed out, though by changing the
person, a very common mode of speech, one is selected as a representative of
wicked men generally. The military figures are of obvious meaning.
13. against the persecutors--Some render "for burning," but
the former is the best sense. Arrows for burning would be appropriate in
besieging a town, not in warring against one man or a company in open fight.
14. The first clause expresses the general idea that wicked men labor
to do evil, the others carry out the figure fully.
15, 16.1 Samuel
18:17, 31:2
illustrate the statement whether alluded to or not. These verses are expository
of Psalms
7:14, showing how the devices of the wicked end in disappointment,
falsifying their expectations.
17. his righteousness--(Psalms
5:8). Thus illustrated in the defense of His servant and punishment of the
wicked.
Psalm 7 Bible Commentary
Jamieson, Faussett, and Brown
1, 2. Though many enemies set upon him, one is singled out as prominent, and compared to a wild beast tearing his prey to pieces (compare 1 Samuel 20:1, 23:23, 26:19).
3. if I have done this--that is, the crime charged in the "words of Cush" (compare 1 Samuel 24:9).
4. If I have injured my friend.
yea, I have delivered, &c.--This makes a good sense, but interrupts the course of thought, and hence it is proposed to render, "if I have spoiled my enemy"--in either case (compare 1 Samuel 24:4-17, 31:8,11).
5. This is the consequence, if such has been his conduct.
mine honour--(compare Psalms 3:3, 4:2)--my personal and official dignity.
6. God is involved as if hitherto careless of him (Psalms 3:7, 9:18).
rage--the most violent, like a flood rising over a river's banks.
the judgment . . . commanded--or, "ordained"; a just decision.
7. compass thee--as those seeking justice.
return thou on high--assume the judgment seat, to be honored as a just Ruler by them.
8. Though not claiming innocence in general, he can confidently do so in this case, and in demanding from the Judge of all the earth a judgment, he virtually asks acquittal.
9. the hearts and reins--the affections and motives of men, or the seat of them (compare Psalms 16:7, 26:2); as we use heart and bosom or breast.
10. defence--literally, "shield" (Psalms 5:12).
11. judgeth--as in Psalms 7:8.
the wicked--Though not expressed, they are implied, for they alone are left as objects of anger.
12, 13. They are here distinctly pointed out, though by changing the person, a very common mode of speech, one is selected as a representative of wicked men generally. The military figures are of obvious meaning.
13. against the persecutors--Some render "for burning," but the former is the best sense. Arrows for burning would be appropriate in besieging a town, not in warring against one man or a company in open fight.
14. The first clause expresses the general idea that wicked men labor to do evil, the others carry out the figure fully.
15, 16. 1 Samuel 18:17, 31:2 illustrate the statement whether alluded to or not. These verses are expository of Psalms 7:14, showing how the devices of the wicked end in disappointment, falsifying their expectations.
17. his righteousness--(Psalms 5:8). Thus illustrated in the defense of His servant and punishment of the wicked.