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Psalms 7
Original Hebrew text (The first verse of
each Hebrew Psalm for some reason was deleted in the KJ Translation):
Shigaon Le-David: FROM DAVID IN ANSWER TO A MISCONCEPTION (S.R. Hirsch) THAT HE SANG TO THE ALMIGHTY CONCERNING THE WORD OF KUSH THE SON OF YAMINI (Benjamin). I do not know why the KJ neglects to translate the first verse of each of the Psalms though admittedly these verses are difficult to translate and other possibilities exist apart from the one we have adopted. KUSH THE SON OF YAMINI: Traditionally is referring to Saul who came from the tribe of Benjamin. Why he is called "KUSH" I do not know. Maybe he was of a dark complexion? He was known for his beauty and aristocratic demeanor as well as his exceptional size. Perhaps King Saul was tall, dark, and handsome? Other explanations exist but this one is also possible. Just as blonds and redheads existed amongst the Ancient Israelites so did darker individuals. [Psalms 7:1] O LORD MY GOD, IN THEE DO I PUT MY TRUST: SAVE ME FROM ALL THEM THAT PERSECUTE ME, AND DELIVER ME: It may be that david composed this Psalm when he was fleeing from King Saul. Nevertheless it has now become a formulized prayer that all those in trouble can make use of. We all have persecutors now and again whether in the form of a bad neighbor, a creditor, an employer, the police, criminals, or someone who just does not like us for no clear reason. [Psalms 7:2] LEST HE TEAR MY SOUL LIKE A LION, RENDING IT IN PIECES, WHILE THERE IS NONE TO DELIVER. [Psalms 7:3] O LORD MY GOD, IF I HAVE DONE THIS; IF THERE BE INIQUITY IN MY HANDS; It sometimes happens that a person is accused of doing something he did not do or of something he did but regrets or without intention and he finds it difficult to avoid the consequences of guilt. << INIQUITY IN MY HANDS>>: Hebrew-English derivatives here. INIQUITY - Hebrew "avel" or "evil" same as the English "evil". HANDS - Hebrew "capi"; singular "caph" or "cap" from which we have the English "cup" or drinking utensil that can be grasped by hand. [Psalms 7:4] IF I HAVE REWARDED EVIL UNTO HIM THAT WAS AT PEACE WITH ME; (YEA, I HAVE DELIVERED HIM THAT WITHOUT CAUSE IS MINE ENEMY:) When David could have justifiably slain Saul (who was pursuing him) he did not do so but instead let him go (1-Samuel 24:4-8). [Psalms 7:5] LET THE ENEMY PERSECUTE MY SOUL, AND TAKE IT; YEA, LET HIM TREAD DOWN M LIFE UPON THE EARTH, AND LAY MINE HONOUR IN THE DUST. SELAH. [Psalms 7:6] ARISE, O LORD, IN THINE ANGER, LIFT UP THYSELF BECAUSE OF THE RAGE OF MINE ENEMIES: AND AWAKE FOR ME TO THE JUDGMENT THAT THOU HAST COMMANDED. [Psalms 7:7] SO SHALL THE CONGREGATION OF THE PEOPLE COMPASS THEE ABOUT: FOR THEIR SAKES THEREFORE RETURN THOU ON HIGH. [Psalms 7:8] THE LORD SHALL JUDGE THE PEOPLE: JUDGE ME, O LORD, ACCORDING TO MY RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ACCORDING TO MINE INTEGRITY THAT IS IN ME. <<THE PEOPLE>>: In Hebrew "Amim" in the plural. God will judge the PEOPLES. The Psalm now swings over from the individual to the national plane as is the wont of Scripture. The troubles of David are a microcosm of each one on the individual level and also of Judah and to an extent also Israel in Exile. [Psalms 7:9] OH LET THE WICKEDNESS OF THE WICKED COME TO AN END; BUT ESTABLISH THE JUST: FOR THE RIGHTEOUS GOD TRIETH THE HEARTS AND REINS. [Psalms 7:10] MY DEFENCE IS OF GOD, WHICH SAVETH THE UPRIGHT IN HEART. God protects righteous people of good intention. [Psalms 7:11] GOD JUDGETH THE RIGHTEOUS, AND GOD IS ANGRY WITH THE WICKED EVERY DAY. [Psalms 7:12] IF HE TURN NOT, [if] HE WILL WHET HIS SWORD; [If] HE HATH BENT HIS BOW, AND MADE IT READY. [Psalms 7:13] HE HATH ALSO PREPARED FOR HIM[self] THE INSTRUMENTS OF DEATH; HE ORDAINETH HIS ARROWS AGAINST THE PERSECUTORS. The translation of S. R. Hirsch is better here: <<THEN HE SHALL HAVE PREPARED FOR HIMSELF THE WEAPONS OF DEATH; HIS ARROWS THAT HE WANTED TO TURN INTO SWIFT PURSUERS [will work against him]. Those who devise evil schemes will have them backfire upon themselves. [Psalms 7:14] BEHOLD, HE TRAVAILETH WITH INIQUITY, AND HATH CONCEIVED MISCHIEF, AND BROUGHT FORTH FALSEHOOD. [Psalms 7:15] HE MADE A PIT, AND DIGGED IT, AND IS FALLEN INTO THE DITCH WHICH HE MADE. [Psalms 7:16] HIS MISCHIEF SHALL RETURN UPON HIS OWN HEAD, AND HIS VIOLENT DEALING SHALL COME DOWN UPON HIS OWN PATE [head]. [Psalms 7:17] I WILL PRAISE THE LORD ACCORDING TO HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS: AND WILL SING PRAISE TO THE NAME OF THE LORD MOST HIGH. <<ACCORDING TO HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS>>: The emphasis should be on "HIS" (HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS). The Almighty knows better than us what needs to be done. According to S.R. Hirsch this was the misconception on which the Psalm was composed. David was indignant concerning the injustices done him and the unfair way he was being treated. He prays to the Almighty and comes to realize that everything is part of a Divine Plan. Justice will be done even though we may not always be aware of it. We do not see the whole picture. Nevertheless we have to do what we can and the Almighty will guide us. Psalms Index Home |