A Song of Salvation

I. THE SUBTITLE OF THE PSALM

A. The Author

1. A psalm of David; Note: One of at least 78 authored by or, at least, about David
2. Identified in another place as “the sweet psalmist of Israel” (2 Samuel 23:1).

B. The Song

1. Identified as Shiggaion
a. Some have suggested this is an indicator of a type of psalm
b. Others have indicated that it may indicate the subject matter itself
c. The most common thought is that one way or the other it suggests the mournful or troubling nature of the song.
2. Sung “unto the LORD” (1 Chronicles 16:23; Psalm 13:6; Psalm 30:4; Psalm 95:1; Psalm 96:1, 2; Psalm 98:1; Psalm 104:33; Psalm 147:7; Psalm 149:1)
3. Concerning the words of Cush (possibilities of interpretation)
a. An unknown incident involving a Benjamite named Cush
b. A reference to Saul
1.) Saul was indeed of the tribe of Benjamin and was the son of a man named Kish (1 Samuel 10:21).
2.) Saul became disgruntled with David when David received greater praise in the victory over the Philistines (1 Samuel 18:8-9).
3.) Saul was violent toward David, due to fear (1 Samuel 18:12, 15, 29).
4.) Saul frequently compelled others to conspire against David through fear (1 Samuel 20:30-31; 1 Samuel 22:7-19).
5.) Though Saul continually chased David, it was more for his own continuance rather than because of any wrongdoing on David’s part. In fact, Saul knew David was a righteous man (1 Samuel 24:9-22; 1 Samuel 26:1-25).
c. A reference to Shimei
1.) Shimei met David as he fled from the threat of Absalom, his son.
2.) He cursed David and cast stones at him (2 Samuel 16:5-6).
3.) He accused David of being a bloody man and a man of Belial (2 Samuel 16:7).
4.) He suggested David was under God’s judgment (2 Samuel 16:8).
5.) David allowed his cursing, considering the Lord sent Shimei, or would, in the least, reward David for enduring the persecution (2 Samuel 16:9-12).
d. Internal hints
1.) “All them that persecute me” (Psalm 7:1)
2.) “Lest he tear my soul” (Psalm 7:2)
3.) “If I have done this” (Psalm 7:3-4)
4.) “Let the enemy” (Psalm 7:5)
5.) “Return thou on high” (Psalm 7:7)

II. A RIGHTEOUS REQUEST (Psalm 7:1-9)

A. The Initial Request (Psalm 7:1-2)

1. The basis of the request (Psalm 7:1)
a. O LORD my God
b. In thee do I put my trust
2. The content of the request (Psalm 7:1-2)
a. Save me and deliver me (Psalm 7:1)
b. Lest the persecutor tear my soul like a lion (Psalm 7:2; see 1 Peter 5:8-9 and Revelation 12:10)
1.) Very little defence exists against a lion – “there is none to deliver”
2.) Very little remains when the lion is finished – “rending it in pieces”

B. The Options of the Request (Psalm 7:3-9)

1. If guilty (Psalm 7:3-5)
a. The possibility of wrongdoing (Psalm 7:3-4)
1.) If I have done this (Psalm 7:3)
2.) If there be iniquity in my hands (Psalm 7:3)
3.) If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me (Psalm 7:4)
b. The submission to judgment (Psalm 7:5)
1.) Let the enemy persecute my soul
2.) Let him tread down my life
3.) Let him lay mine honour in the dust
2. If righteous (Psalm 7:6-9)
a. The judgment of the enemy (Psalm 7:6)
1.) Arise in anger
2.) Because of the rage of mine enemies
3.) Awake to the judgment that thou hast commanded
b. The defence of the righteous (Psalm 7:7-8)
1.) The congregation will compass thee about (Psalm 7:7).
2.) The LORD will stand for the righteous integrity of His own (Psalm 7:8).
c. The outcome of both (Psalm 7:9)
1.) The wicked – “Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end”
2.) The just – “establish the just”

C. The Righteous Resolve

1. If I’m wrong, bring the just consequences.
2. If I’m right
a. Destroy those who seek to destroy my integrity, and, in turn, the Lord’s integrity
b. Establish my life, my testimony, my character, my integrity
3. In the end
a. I trust God
b. I trust His judgment

III. A RIGHTEOUS JUDGE (Psalm 7:10-16)

A. Sparing the Righteous (Psalm 7:10-11a)

1. God defends the upright in heart (Psalm 7:10).
2. God judges the righteous (Psalm 7:11a).

B. Punishing the Wicked (Psalm 7:11b-16)

1. The recipients of God’s anger (Psalm 7:11b)
a. God is angry with the wicked
b. Every day
2. The preparations of God’s anger (Psalm 7:12-13)
a. The opportunity of the wicked – “If he turn not” (Psalm 7:12a)
b. The immediacy of judgment (Psalm 7:12b-13; see Psalm 64:3-4)
1.) Sword is whetted (Psalm 7:12b)
2.) Bow is bent and made ready (Psalm 7:12b)
3.) Instruments of death are prepared (Psalm 7:13)
4.) Arrows are ordained against persecutors (Psalm 7:13)
3. The cause of God’s anger (Psalm 7:14-15)
a. The process of the wicked (Psalm 7:14)
1.) He travaileth with iniquity.
2.) He hath conceived mischief.
3.) He brought forth falsehood.
b. The process of God’s dealings (Psalm 7:15)
1.) The wicked made a pit.
2.) He digged it.
3.) He is fallen into the ditch which he made.
4. The consequences of God’s anger (Psalm 7:16)
a. The wicked man’s mischief shall return upon his own head.
b. His violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.

IV. A RIGHTEOUS PRAISE (Psalm 7:17)

A. The Cause for Praise

1. I will praise the LORD
2. According to His righteousness

B. The Method of Praise

1. I will sing praise
2. To the name of the LORD most high