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PSALM

CHAPTER 7

1 Shig-ga'-ion of David, which he sang unto the Lord, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite. 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.

The exact meaning of the word "Shiggaion" is unknown. Probably it is a term that means chant. The song itself is written because of something "Cush the Benjamite" said about David. Obviously, this person was an enemy of David.

Being a "Benjamite," Cush was probably related to King Saul. He might even have been telling Saul things about David to keep Saul's anger stirred up against David. Therefore, this song was probably written before David became king, and while he was running from Saul.

David has no "delverer" who can save him aside from God (verse 2). Therefore, David's plea is that God will save him from this person who is persecuting him.

When we don't understand people treat us wrongly, we should submit our cause to God and beg for His deliverance.

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.

When David committed adultery with Bathsheba, God sent punishment in the form of a prophet who reproved David. Perhaps now David is concerned that he has sinned, and God is punishing him with this man who has spoken against him.

But David has acted on behalf of this man Cush (verse 4), and he believes there is no reason for him to be an enemy.

When God "arises" (verse 6), He stands in defense of the justified believer and stands against those who would persecute believers. That's why we can only trust God for our defence (verses 7 and 10).

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.

That "God judgeth the righteous" means God delivers or saves the righteous from unwarranted evil every day. But God is angry with those who determine to be evil every day.

God has His mighty power prepared to work against those who determine evil. His sword is sharpened, and his bow is pulled ready to deliver an arrow (verses 12-13).

God also plans the demise of the wicked by allowing them to fall into their own traps (verse 15).

Therefore, it is our joy to PRAISE God. For we know that He is just and righteous and will not allow evil plots to continue a long time.

CHAPTER 8

1 To the chief Musician upon Git'-tith, A Psalm of David. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. 2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

"Upon Gittith" probably means to be sung accompanied by a harp.

This is a song of praise for the marvelous ways in which God reveals Himself.

God uses the "mouths of babes," or infants and innocence to bring praise to Himself. And the innocent praise of God quietens and stills the hands of enemies (verse 2).

It is truly amazing that professors of atheism will question and even repudiate adult Christians, but they will not say anything against children who sing songs of praise to God.

3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. 6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: 7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; 8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. 9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

As David looks to the heavens and sees the stars and the moon, he is amazed at the marvelous POWER of God. What MAJESTY! What POWER God has to create all these things with only a spoken word!

With such created beauty, why should God even "consider" sinful mankind? Why indeed should God "visit" and reveal Himself to sinful man? God has such beauty and marvelous works at his disposal and for his own glory. Why should He concern Himself with that which is evil, sinful and unholy?

And yet, God has not only visited mankind and revealed Himself, He has revealed that man is given DOMINION over all the earth! God has revealed that He desires our REDEMPTION from sin and wants to bring us to a glorious SALVATION from our own sin.

And the last verse (verse 9) is a burst of PRAISE for God Who has condescended to man! What a GREAT GOD we serve!

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