7:6-8and in Peter's sermon to the church in 1 Peter 2:9. God treasures us. He gives love and mercy to all those who believe in him.
Life Application Study BiblePsalmsChapter 7
Psalm 7
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 848, 849
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
7Psalm 7
1Icome to you for protection, O LORD my God. ots tt:Save me from my persecutors—rescue me! 31:1, 14-15
2If you don't, they will maul me like a lion,tearing me to pieces with no one to rescue me.
3O LORD my God, if I have done wrongor am guilty of injustice,4 if Ihave betrayed a friendor plundered my enemy without cause,5 then let my enemies capture me.Let them trample me into the groundand drag my honor in the dust. Interlude7:2Pss 17:12; 57:47:31 Sam 24:117:4
4Sam 24:7; 26:9
6Arise, O Lor, in anger!Stand up against the fury of my enemies!Wake up, my God, and bring justice!
7Gather the nations before you.Rule over them from on high.
wants the very best for us. Anger may result in rash outward actsor turning inward in depression. But because we trust in our all-powerful God, we don't have to be victims of circumstance or beweighed down by the guilt of sin. Be honest with God, and he willhelp you turn your attention from yourself to him and his mercy.7:1-6 Have you ever been falsely accused or so badly hurt thatyou wanted revenge? David wrote this psalm in response to theslanderous accusations of those who claimed he was trying to killSaul and seize the throne (1 Samuel 24:9-11). Instead of takingmatters into his own hands and striking back, David cried out toGod for justice. The proper response to slander is prayer, notrevenge, because God says, “I will take revenge; I will pay themback” (Romans 12:19: see also Deuteronomy 32:35, 36; Hebrews10:30). Instead of striking back, ask God to take your case, bringjustice, and restore your reputation.
8The LORD judges the nations.Declare me righteous, O LORD,for I am innocent, O Most High!
9End the evil of those who are wicked,and defend the righteous.For you look deep within the mind and heart,O righteous God.
10God is my shield,saving those whose hearts are true and right.
11God is an honest judge.He is angry with the wicked every day.
12If a person does not repent,God* will sharpen his sword;he will bend and string his bow.
13He will prepare his deadly weaponsand shoot his flaming arrows.
14The wicked conceive evil;they are pregnant with troubleand give birth to lies.
15They dig a deep pit to trap others,then fall into it themselves.
16The trouble they make for others backfires on them.The violence they plan falls on their own heads.
17J will thank the LORD because he is just;I will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.Theme: The greatness of God assures the worth of mankind. God, the all-powerfulCreator, cares for his most valuable creation—people.
Textual footnotes
- 7:12 Hebrew he. 8:TITLE Hebrew according to the gittith.
Life Application Notes 4 notes
7:9God looks “deep within the mind and heart.” Nothing is hidden from God—this can be either terrifying or comforting. Our thoughts are an open book to him. Because God knows even our motives, we have no place to hide, no way to pretend we can get away with sin. But that very knowledge also gives us great comfort. We don’t have to impress God or put up a false front. instead, we can trust God to help us work through our weaknesses in order to serve him as he has planned. When we truly follow God, he rewards our efforts.
7:14-16When allowed to run its course, evil destroys itself. Violent people become victims of violence, and liars become victims of others’ deceit (9:15, 16). In the process, however, innocent people are hurt. Sometimes God intervenes and stops evildoers in their tracks in order to protect his followers. At other times, for reasons known only to him, God allows evil to continue even though innocent people are hurt. It is during these times that we must ask God to protect us. Remember that God will execute final justice, although it may not be during our lifetime.
7:17During a time of great evil and injustice, David was grateful that God was just and fair (see also 7:11). When we wonder if anyone is honest or fair, we can be assured that God will continue to bring justice and fairness when we involve him in our activities. \f you ever feel that you are being treated unfairly, ask the one who is always fair and just to be with you. Then thank him for his presence (see Isaiah 42:1-6).