O Lord my God, in Thee do I put my trust.
An appeal from the slandered
I. The appeal (Psalms 7:1-2; Psalms 7:6). A petition for freedom and deliverance from his persecutors, in which he desires God to be attentive to him, because of the relation between them, and because he trusted Him: and he also desires God to be benevolent, because he was in danger of death, having many enemies.
II. His reasons. He makes protestation of his innocency, and appeals to God’s justice. He wants God to do justice both to him and to the wicked. The close of the Psalm is a doxology,--thanks that a true, just, and merciful God would judge for the righteous, save those who are true of heart, establish the just, and take revenge upon the wicked; for this, says David, “I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness.” (William Nicholson, D. D.)
David and his enemies
This Psalm consisteth principally of three parts. In the first part he prayeth for deliverance from his enemies, setting out his innocence and upright dealing toward them (Psalms 7:1-5). In the second he prayeth against his enemies, declaring what good shall come to his children by the overthrow of the wicked (Psalms 7:6-10). In the third he pronounceth God’s judgment against the ungodly, which, being once manifested, he promises to yield hearty thanks unto the Lord (Psalms 7:11-17). Learn that trust and confidence in God is always necessary to them that pray to Him; for otherwise all our supplications are but lip labour, and lost. Also, we learn to pray for deliverance from our persecutors, or else we might justly be accounted betrayers of ourselves. Many of God’s children may stand upon their innocency to men-ward, and say in their measure--which of you can convict me of sin, but not before God. We may sometimes pray against some enemies of the Church, but we should make God’s promises (general or particular) the ground of our prayers. When men will not judge rightly we may by prayer refer our causes to Him who hath no respect of persons. Verses 12, 13 declare what mischievous minds the wicked carry toward the godly, and what means they will work to accomplish their naughtiness; and that should teach us wisdom and circumspection, that we fall not into their nets. (Thomas Wilcocks.)
The ferocity of persecutors
It is reported of tigers that they enter into a rage on the scent of fragrant spices: so do ungodly men at the blessed savour of godliness. I have read of some barbarous nations, who when the sun shines hot upon them, they shoot up their arrows against it: so do wicked men at the light and heat of godliness. There is a natural antipathy between the spirits of godly men and the wicked (Genesis 3:15). (Jeremiah Burroughs.)
Exemplary conduct under social trial
David’s conduct indicates three things.
I. Earnest application. In the midst of his trial he looks to heaven. In his supplication, see--
1. A strong confidence in God as ever accessible; equal to all emergencies; large enough to receive all sufferers; immutable amidst the revolution of ages.
2. A terrible sense of danger. “Lest he tear my soul like a lion.”
3. A deep consciousness of innocence. “If there be iniquity in my hands.”
4. An earnest invocation for help. “Arise, O Lord, lift up Thyself.” His ideas of God throughout this Psalm are very anthropomorphic. In this invocation he has respect for three things--
(1) The spiritual good of his country;
(2) the administrative justice of God;
(3) the universal extension of wickedness.
II. Devout meditations (Psalms 7:10-16).
1. On the character of God; as a friend of the just; an enemy of the wicked, whose opposition is constant, terrible, and avoidable.
2. On the condition of sinners. He regards his position as
(1) painfully laborious;
(2) abortively laborious;
(3) self-ruinously laborious.
III. Reverent adoration. Note--
1. The character in which he worships the Almighty. As righteous and as supreme.
2. The spirit with which he worships the Almighty. “I will sing praise.” Song is the language of happiness. True worship is happiness. All happy spirits worship, and worship is song. (Homilist.)
Turning to God in time of need
I. Prayer (Psalms 7:1-2). If David desired deliverance from his foes, how much more do we need deliverance from our arch enemy (1 Peter 5:8-9).
II. Protestation (Psalms 7:3-5). (1 Samuel 24:1-22; 1 Samuel 26:1-25). So far had he been from the offence they charged him with.
III. An appeal (Psalms 7:6-9). By a bold metaphor he attributes the success of his foes to some temporary abdication on God’s part of His throne, and he entreats Him to reassume His throne and give His decisions, as Eastern judges are wont to do, in the midst of the people standing around.
IV. Prediction (Psalms 7:10-16). Evil recoils like a boomerang on those who set it in motion. Ralph the Rover perished at the Incheape Rock. The huntsman at eventide falls into the pit prepared in the morning for his prey. (F. B. Meyer, B. A.)
Trust in God
I. The conditions of trust in God.
1. We must lay to heart the glorious truth of the everlasting love of God towards us, and realise that He is our reconciled Father in Christ.
2. We must ever seek to do His will. We cannot “rest in the calm sun glow of His face” if we are not earnestly seeking to do the things that please Him.
3. We must not trust in ourselves. The pride of the human heart is great, hence we are unwilling to confess our inability to keep God’s commandments.
4. We must not trust in others. Asa’s end a warning against trusting in an arm of flesh (2 Chronicles 16:12-13).
II. We ought to trust in God.
1. In times of loneliness and depression (John 16:32; Psalms 56:3).
2. Times of danger, difficulty, and temptation. God is our refuge (Psalms 57:1); our guide (Psalms 48:14); God is faithful (1 Corinthians 10:13).
III. The result of trust in God.
1. Blessedness (Psalms 84:12).
2. Perfect peace (Isaiah 26:8). (J. P. Wright.)