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Psalms 7:1-17 open_in_new
This Ps. is an appeal to God as the righteous Judge against an ungrateful and vindictive enemy. Nothing is known of Cush the Benjamite, but the case of Shimei affords a parallel to the circumstances here referred to (2 Samuel 18:21). The absenee of any Scripture mention of Cush makes it all the more probable that the title of this Ps. is genuine, and not invented. The Psalmist asserts his own innocence (Psalms 7:1-6), calls on God, the righteous Judge of all the earth, to exercise His power against evil-doers (Psalms 7:7-13), and describes how the malice of the wicked works its own defeat (Psalms 7:14-17).
Title.—Shiggaion] perhaps, 'a wandering (i.e. changeful) melody.'
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Psalms 7:3 open_in_new
If I have done this] with which Cush charged him. See further in Psalms 7:4.
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Psalms 7:4 open_in_new
The second clause may be read without the parenthesis, 'or despoiled him that without cause was mine adversary.'
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Psalms 7:5 open_in_new
Take] RV 'overtake.' Mine honour] RV 'my glory,' an equivalent for 'soul' and 'life' in the previous parallel clauses. Selah] see on Psalms 3:4.
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Psalms 7:6 open_in_new
Awake for me] a daring figure, as if God's delay had been due to sleep. To the judgment that, etc.] RV 'thou hast commanded judgment,' i.e. exercised the justice of which Thou art the source.
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Psalms 7:7 open_in_new
So shall, etc.] RV 'and let,' etc. People] RV 'peoples.' So in Psalms 7:8. An assize of all the nations is pictured. For their sakes, etc.] RV 'over them return thou on high,' or 'sit thou above them,' i.e. in judgment.
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Psalms 7:8 open_in_new
Shall judge] RV 'ministereth judgment to.'
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Psalms 7:9 open_in_new
Just] RV 'righteous,' the same epithet which is applied to God. The hearts and reins] the whole inner life. The reins are the kidneys, and are spoken of like the heart, the bowels, and the internal organs generally, as the seat of thought and feeling.
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Psalms 7:11 open_in_new
Read, 'God is a righteous judge, yea, a God that hath indignation everyday.'
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Psalms 7:12 open_in_new
Read, 'If a man turn not He (God) will whet,' etc.
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Psalms 7:13 open_in_new
He ordaineth, etc.] RV 'He maketh his arrows fiery shafts'The sense is parallel with the last clause of Psalms 7:12.
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Psalms 7:14 open_in_new
There is a transition at this point from God to the wicked man.
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Psalms 7:15 open_in_new
He made] RV 'he hath made.' The evil he planned for others comes on himself.
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Psalms 7:16 open_in_new
another figure for the same thing. Mischief is like a stone thrown up, which falls back upon the thrower's head. Pate] Old English for 'head.'
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Psalms 7:17 open_in_new
All that has been said illustrates the righteousness of the Lord, which is accordingly the ground of this concluding ascription of praise.