Psalm 7: Responding to False Accusations (Psalm 7:1-17)

In Psalm 7, David is innocent, falsely slandered and pursued to death - a song of a slandered saint on the run from Saul. When he rebelled Samuel told him God would replace him (1Sam 13:13-14, 15:22-29). From then on he watched for his replacement. Samuel anointed David (1Sam 16), who came into favour after slaying Goliath (1Sam 17), but when he was praised him more than Saul, he eyed David with jealousy, believing he would usurp him (1Sam 18:5-9). He then tried to kill David (1Sam 18), who had to flee (1Sam 19–31). The title says David sang it to God concerning the words of Cush, a Benjamite. Cush was from Saul's tribe, a close advisor, feeding his paranoia by making accusations David was conspiring to overthrow him. He knew about these false accusers and protested his innocence to Saul (1Sam 22:6, 24:8). So he faced a double trial of (1) false accusations, resulting in (2) being hunted to death. He shows us how to respond to false accusation and persecution, by not taking revenge but turning to God for refuge, committing our situation to Him, pleading our case, and asking Him in faith for vindication & deliverance. He starts with a plea for deliverance (v1-2), and declaration of innocence, making an oath: "if I'm guilty, then let my enemies pursue and kill me" (v3-5). He didn't claim to be sinless, but that in this case he was innocent. Next David, believing the Lord was angry on his behalf, urged Him to move into action, due to the hostility of his enemies, ascend to His judge's seat and initiate a court case to decide the issue, and command justice be done (v6). He wants all to witness the outcome and his public vindication. He says this is 'for their sakes' as it is good for people to see justice done, for it helps them trust in God (when evil-doers seem to get away with it, they cast off restraint). Also he had a special role in God's plan of salvation thru Christ, so it was for their sakes for God to judge in his favour and spare his life (v7). Clearly God answered him, for in the Bible, God declared His verdict of his vindication. He turned the matter over to God, rather than taking it into his own hands and taking revenge (Ro 12:19). In v8-9, he declares God will render justice, and renews his plea for vindication. He's not referring to his final eternal judgment (in which he wouldn't dare stand on his own merits), but that God would judge in his favour in this situation. In v9, he says God is qualified to judge for He is righteous and sees every heart. He expands his prayer beyond his situation (an example of other cases of injustice), praying for universal justice, when God brings the evil of the wicked to an end, and establishes the just forever. In v10, he declares his confidence God has heard him and judged his case, so justice will be done, and God will defend him from those who seek to destroy him. In v11, he says God is the just Judge, who continually resists all evil, and is angry with the wicked all day. Sinners never imagine they will stand before a perfectly just God, who can't ignore sin. So, if they do not turn back, He will suddenly release His arrows of fiery judgment on them (v12,13). He sees God as ever ready to judge the sinner, like an archer with his bow bent back, ready to release his arrow at any time. The only reason He delays is His mercy, giving men a chance to repent, not cos He is weak, slack or unconcerned with justice. Men should not presume on His mercy, as if it will last for ever, for judgment will surely come, and suddenly. This poetic imagery reveals the severity & imminence of judgment, a strong incentive to repent. In v14, he describes the nature of sin -a monstrous child conceived in the womb (heart), growing until it comes into manifestation, and ultimately kills them (Jas 1:13-15). Then he describes God's moral government of the universe, as seen in the law of sowing & reaping (Gal 6:7). Like a hunter who lays a trap and falls into it (v15, Prov 26:27), what you do to others will be done to you (Newton's 3rd Law). It will return on your own head as sure as gravitation (v16) - a common way God’s justice works in this life, often bringing the same calamity on the wicked they planned for the just: (1) Saul's violent death after trying to kill David, (2) Pharoh's drowning in Red Sea, after drowning many Jewish babies, (3) Haman hanged on the gallows he made for Mordecai (Est 7:7-10), (4) Daniel's enemies in the lion’s den (6:24), (5) Abab & Jezebel’s judgment for Naboth's murder. God's righteous government means the way of evil can't prosper, as it creates its own destruction. Psalm 7 began with David facing many troubles, but ends with praise for God's justice. Having taken his cause to the righteous God, he is confident in his vindication. He concludes: "I will sing praise to the Name (righteous nature) of the Lord Most High" (v17). We should praise God for all His righteous judgments.