O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:
Title. - Shiggaion - from a Hebrew root х shaagah (H7686)], 'erred.' Referred by some to the erratic character of the character of the melody, betokening agitation. 'A song uttered in great excitement' (Ewald). Hengstenberg refers it to the subject of the psalm: 'the aberrations of the wicked.' Compare Habakkuk 3:1. It accords with this that the Hebrew root of Shiggaion, as above, occurs in Saul's address to David, 1 Samuel 26:21, "Behold, I have played the fool, and erred exceedingly" (cf. Psalms 119:21; Psalms 119:118).
Of David. Compare Psalms 7:4, which alludes to David's being accused by Saul of plotting "evil" against him, whereas he returned good for evil in sparing Saul, his deadly enemy, when he had him in his power (1 Samuel 24:7). Many expressions here coincide with those of David in the history (cf. Psalms 7:1 with 1 Samuel 24:14; 1 Samuel 26:20; Psalms 7:3 with 1 Samuel 24:11, "There is neither evil ... in mine hand;" Psalms 7:8 with 1 Samuel 24:12; 1 Samuel 24:15, "The Lord judge between me and thee," etc.; Psalms 7:16 with 1 Samuel 25:39, "The Lord hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head").
Concerning the words - i:e., on account of the calumnies of, etc. (Hengstenberg). [So Septuagint, huper toon logoon Chousi.] That by "words" he means calumnies, appears from Psalms 7:3-5, wherein he defends himself against them. That there were men who calumniated David to Saul, in order to ingratiate themselves with the latter, appears from 1 Samuel 24:9; 1 Samuel 26:19. Saul himself, a Benjamite, is meant by the enigmatic term, "Cush the Benjamite." "Cush," or 'the Ethiopian,' is symbolical for one black at heart, and unchangeably so as to malice (cf. Jeremiah 13:23; also Amos 9:7). David's predilection for enigmatical titles appears in Psalms 9:1-20; Psalms 22:1-31; Psalms 53:1-6, etc. An allusion, too, seems to be hid in "Cush" to the name of Saul's father, "Kish." As David in this psalm appears still exposed to Saul's persecutions; whereas immediately after the second time of Saul's being in power (1 Samuel 26:1-25.) David passed over to the Philistines, and was no more sought after by Saul (1 Samuel 27:4). The occasion of his sparing Saul, alluded to in Psalms 7:4 must be the first one, (1 Samuel 24:1-22.)
Psalms 7:1-17.-David's prayer for deliverance from enemies (Psalms 7:1-2); his innocency toward them (Psalms 7:3-5); God's righteousness his plea (Psalms 7:6-9); his confidence resting on this (Psalms 7:10-13); the foe's malice shall recoil on himself, whereas David shall praise the Lord for His righteousness (Psalms 7:14-17).
My God - a strong argument for being heard lies in the word "MY." Luther remarks that much of the force of the Psalms lies in the pronouns. To appropriate God as our God, and "my God," ensures His help.
All them that persecute me. The greatness of his danger through many persecutors is his plea that God should interpose in his behalf.