Heading: ‘Shiggaion of David which he sang to YHWH concerning the words of Cush a Benjamite.'
Shiggaion probably corresponds to the Akkadian segu, ‘to howl or lament'. It thus indicates a poem of passionate character written under the influence of strong emotion.
No details are known of Cush the Benjamite. He was a fellow-tribesman of Saul and probably one of those who accused David before Saul, insinuating that he was seeking to take the king's life (1 Samuel 22:8; 1 Samuel 24:9; 1 Samuel 26:19). The background of David's life when he was hunted from place to place by Saul, and spared his life when he had him in his power, is essential background reading to the psalm (1 Samuel 21-26).
In this psalm David prays for deliverance from his pursuers (1-2), declares his innocence of what he is accused of (3-5), prays for another worldwide judgment like the Flood which will purify the earth and establish righteousness (6-10), reveals that God is a man of war against unrepentant sinners (11-13), declares God's law of retribution on those who seek to harm their fellows (14-16), and finally gives praise to YHWH Most High for His goodness (17).