Bible Study on Psalm 7
Psalm 7 A shiggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush, a Benjamite.
"As far as we can gather from the observations of learned men, and from a comparison of this Psalm with the only other Shiggaion in the Word of God, (Hab 3:1), this title seems to mean "variable songs," with which also the idea of solace and pleasure is associated. Truly our life-psalm is composed of variable verses; one stanza rolls along with the sublime metre of triumph, but another limps with the broken rhythm of complaint. There is much bass in the saint's music here below. Our experience is as variable as the weather in England." -C.H.SpurgeonWhat are some ways that you seek solace and pleasure? How did David do it?
"From the title we learn the occasion of the composition of this song. It appears probable that Cush the Benjamite had accused David to Saul of treasonable conspiracy against his royal authority. This the king would be ready enough to credit, both from his jealousy of David, and from the relation which most probably existed between himself, the son of Kish, and this Cush, or Kish, the Benjamite. He who is near the throne can do more injury to a subject than an ordinary slanderer.
This may be called the SONG OF THE SLANDERED SAINT. Even this sorest of evils may furnish occasion for a Psalm. What a blessing it would be if we could turn even the most disastrous event into a theme for song, and so turn the tables upon our great enemy. Let us learn a lesson from Luther, who once said, "David made Psalms; we also will make Psalms, and sing them as well as we can to the honor of our Lord, and to spite and mock the devil." (Spurgeon)
When my mom was in critical care, God brought to mind a song I learned many years before, "Why so downcast O my soul, put your hope in God! Put your hope in God!" That song brought me much comfort and strength from the LORD. As my mom improved I found my heart singing an old Sunday School song I learned as a child, "O Say But I'm Glad."
How does music play a part in helping to make seemingly disastrous event more bearable? What songs bring comfort and encouragement to you in the midst of crisis?
Why do you think it would be important to teach our children (as well as ourselves) songs of Scripture and encouragement?
DIVISION. In the first and second verses the danger is stated, and prayer offered.
Then the Psalmist most solemnly avows his innocence. (Ps 7:3-5).
The Lord is pleaded with to arise to judgment (Ps 7:6-7).
The Lord, sitting upon his throne, hears the renewed appeal of the Slandered Supplicant (Ps 7:8-9). The Lord clears his servant, and threatens the wicked (Ps 7:10-13).
The slanderer is seen in vision bringing a curse upon his own head, (Ps 14-16), while David retires from trial singing a hymn of praise to his righteous God.
We have here a noble sermon upon that text: "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that riseth against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn." (Spurgeon)
O LORD my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me,
Verse 1. David appears before God to plead with him against the Accuser, who had charged him with treason and treachery. The case is here opened with an avowal of confidence in God. Whatever may be the emergency of our condition we shall never find it amiss to retain our reliance upon our God. (Spurgeon)
How is David a type of Christ in his pleading with God before the great Accuser?
Who daily pleads our case before our Accuser and our Heavenly Father? See I John 2:1 and
and Rev 12:10O Lord my God, mine by a special covenant, sealed by Jesus' blood, and ratified in my own soul by a sense of union to thee; in thee, and in thee only, do I put my trust, even now in my sore distress. I shake, but my rock moves not. It is never right to distrust God, and never vain to trust him. And now, with both divine relationship and holy trust to strengthen him, David utters the burden of his desire—save me from all them that persecute me. His pursuers were very many, and any one of them cruel enough to devour him; he cries, therefore, for salvation from them all. We should never think our prayers complete until we ask for preservation from all sin, and all enemies. (Spurgeon)
or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.
the plea of fear co-working with the plea of faith. There was one among David's foes mightier that the rest, who had both dignity, strength, and ferocity, and was, therefore, "like a lion." (Spurgeon)
What enemy of ours is described as a lion? See I Peter 5:8
in our own case there is one who goes about like a lion, seeking whom he may devour, concerning whom we should ever cry, "Deliver us from the Evil One." Notice the vigor of the description--"rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver." It is a picture from the shepherd-life of David. When the fierce lion had pounced upon the defenseless lamb, and had made it his prey, he would rend the victim in pieces, break all the bones, and devour all, because no shepherd was near to protect the lamb or rescue it from the ravenous beast. This is a soul-moving portrait of a saint delivered over to the will of Satan. (Spurgeon)
O LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands--
if I have done evil to him who is at peace with me or without cause have robbed my foe--
then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust. Selah
He needs not fear the curse whose soul is clear of guilt.- Spurgeon
What does this prayer imply about David's conscience?
Do you think he has done anything to deserve the trial he is facing?
Who causes us to be seen as guiltless before the throne of grace? See Colossians 1:21-23
Arise, O LORD, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice.
Let the assembled peoples gather around you. Rule over them from on high; let the LORD judge the peoples. Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High. O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure.David's cry for justice in the midst of evil-
Have recent events caused you to cry out to God for justice?
Note that David's cry is that God be allowed to rule and to judge. It is God's right alone to judge the heart of man. Spurgeon summarizes this well:From these verses we may learn that no innocence can shield a man from the calumnies of the wicked. David had been scrupulously careful to avoid any appearance of rebellion against Saul, whom he constantly styled "the Lord's anointed;" but all this could not protect him from lying tongues. As the shadow follows the substance, so envy pursues goodness. It is only at the tree laden with fruit that men throw stones. If we would live without being slandered we must wait till we get to heaven. Let us be very heedful not to believe the flying rumors which are always harassing gracious men. If there are no believers in lies there will be but a dull market in falsehood, and good men's characters will be safe. Ill-will never spoke well. Sinners have an ill-will to saints, and therefore, be sure they will not speak well of them.
My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge, a God who expresses his wrath every day.
If he does not relent, he will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow.
He has prepared his deadly weapons; he makes ready his flaming arrows.
He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment.
He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit he has made.
The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head.
I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.