Psalms 7

David prayeth for Deliverance from his cruel Enemies, maketh an holy protestation of his innocence, and desireth God to right him, prophesying that God would do it likewise, for the protection of the godly, the ruine and destruction of his impentent persecutors, and the praise of his holy Name.

1. Davids Shiggaion, [This word cometh from another Hebrew word signifying, to stray, or wander, whereby some do conjecture, that this was a various song. Skipping from one kind of tune into another; and used in great anguishes of heart, when as the thoughts and stirrings of the heart, through greatness of trouble, do vary and fall from one strain into another in a straying and scattering manner] which he sang unto the LORD, over the words of Cush, [Who this was, is uncertain: it should seem it was one of Saul his Courtiers, and in great credit with him, being of the same Tribe of Benjamin, with Saul himself. Against this mans bitter and bloody counsel, together with Sauls persecution David poured out this prayer unto God, and put it into singing meeter] the son of Jemina. [i.e. a Benjamite. See Jud.19.16. 2 Sam.16.11.]

2. LORD my God, on the do I trust: Save me from all my persecutors, and rescue me.

3. That he make not prey of my soul, [He, viz. Saul, through the instigation of the evil Counsellors: or, he, i.e. every one of them. My soul i.e. my life and person] like a Lion, tearing, while there is no deliverer. [implying, that they were ready to tear him in pieces like so many Lions, if God delivered him not speedily.]

4. LORD, my God, if have done that, [Which they do falsely accuse me of, especially that Cush] if there is wrong in my hands; [Heb. palms.]

5. If I have requited him evil, that had peace with me; [Or lived peaceably with me. Compare Psalms 55:21. with the annotation: and of the Hebrew word, her rendered requiting. See 2 Chron.20.on verse 11.] (yea I have rescued him that distressed me without cause.) [Or, vainly, idly, i.e. without any reason wrongfully; as manifestly appeared in the case of Saul, whom he spared and rescued when he was in his own and his Officers power. See 1 Samuel 24.and 26. Oth. yea, if I have not delivered, etc. In the same sense.]

6. Then let the enemy persecute my soul, [i.e. my person, as above Psalms 3:3.] and overtake her, and tread my life to the ground. [i.e. let him put me to a shameful death, that I may fall, and ly down with dishonourful death, that I may fall, and ly down with dishonour and disgrace] and make mine honour to dwell in the dust. [i.e. change mine honourable estate, and condition into the most base and contemptible. See Job 19.on v.9. and 1 Kin.16.on v.3.] Sela! [See Psal.3.on v.3.]

7. Arise, LORD, in thine anger [See above Psalm 3.on v.8.] exalted thy self, because of the fruries of my distresses, and awake unto me: [or, awake (and turn thy self) to me. Spoken of God after the manner of men; as before and in the sequel. Oth. thus, awake for me unto the Judgement, (that) thou hast commanded, for me unto the Judgement, (that) thou thou hast commanded, i.e. to right me, according to thine own order and institution, that art a God of Judgement] Thou hast commanded the Judgement, [or instituted, ordained. See 2.Sam.6.on verse 21.]

8. Then shall the assembly of the Nations encompass thee: turn them again on high [i.e. Return once to sit as judge upon thine high throne or Judgement-seat, for to declare mine innocence openly before all the world, speechs borrowed from the manner of great Princes, or Judges, when they sit and keep courts of Justice] above them. [or, for their sake, viz. The peoples or assemblies about me.]

9. The LORD shall do right to the people; Judge me, LORD, according to my righteousness, [i.e. according to the righteousness of my cause; as frequently in this Book. See the declaring thereof, Psalm 5.] and according to the uprightness (that) is by me.

10. Ah let the malice of the wicked have an end, but establish the righteous, thou that tryest the hearts and reins, [i.e. that searchest and siftest all the thoughts and imagination; a comparison taken from Gold-smiths or Refiners, which try the Gold by the Fire. So Psalms 11:4,5. And 17.3. and elsewhere frequently. See Job 19.on v.27.] O righteous God.

11. My Shield [As Psalms 3:4.] is by God, that saveth the upright of heart. [Or, the honest-hearted: Heb. properly, the right, or straight of heart, as 2 Chro.29.34. and very often in this Book; or by it self, the right or right minded, (the down-right as we call them) the word is likewise used of God, and his commandments. See Deut.32.3,4. Psalms 19:9, etc. And further Job 1.on v.1.]

12. God is a righteous Judge, and a God that is angry [viz. With, or against the wicked, which the sequel hath a regard unto] every day. [Oth. all the day, or all day long.]

13. If he [The wicked namely, that persecuteth me] turneth not himself, then he [God] shall whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, [Heb. trodden, in regard that the foot-bow was to be bent with setting the foot upon it; and so frequently.] and prepared the same.

14. And hath made ready mortal weapons. [Hebr. Vessels, Furniture, Instruments, or arms of death] for him; [i.e. for himself, to use against the wicked: or, against him, viz. The wicked, as followeth] he shall set a work his arrows against the incensed persecutors. [of the Hebrew word, see Genesis 31.on v.36.]

15. Behold, he is in labour of iniquity, and is big with toil; [i.e. the wicked laboureth much to put his wrongful and evil device against me into practise, which maketh him as restless and unquiet, as a woman in labour, when the pangs of travel are upon her; compare Job 15:35. Isa.59.4. Jam.1.15.] he shall bring forth a lie. [i.e. he shall miscarry; his plot shall be abortive and fail him; it shall be as vain, and of no effect, as a Lye, which frustrateth him, that relyeth upon it; Comp. Psa.4.on verse 3. Some by lyes here, do understand, falsehood and deceit.]

16. He hath a made a pit and digged out the same, but he is fallen into the ditch [The Hebrew word doth properly signify destruction, corruption, and besides a pit ditch, &c. Wherein something doth rot and perish.] which he hath made.

17. His toil shall return upon his head, [See Judges 9.on v.34.] and his violence, [which he practiseth against me] descend upon his crown. [or, the crown of his head, i.e. that very same which he intended against me, shall through Gods just Judgement and disposing, light upon himself.]

18. I shall praise the LORD, according to his righteousness, [Which he sheweth in delivering of me (that am innocent) and in punishing of my malicious Enemies.] and sing psalms unto the Name of the LORD, the most high.