Sunday, June 6, 2004 pm
IN YOU I PUT MY TRUST
Psalm 7
As we continue our study of the psalms, we now want to examine psalm #7. This is another psalm of David in which he prays to God for deliverance from his enemies.
In this psalm, we find David’s sincerity of David’s heart as he pleads with God. In this psalm you find that David has done all that he could do. He has acted upright toward all who are involved. And honestly he knows he does not deserve what is happening to him at this time. From this psalm, we learn lessons about how we are to deal with our enemies – especially for the cause of Christ.
I. Background
a. The Superscription – Described as a meditation concerning David. Some versions use the word, “Shiggaion” which we do not fully understand. It is from a Hebrew word meaning, “erred” and describes a “wandering psalm” which either refers to what David was doing (fleeing from Saul) or the metre of the psalm, since it sporadically addresses several different concepts (though related)
b. Concerning Cush - Who this man was we do not know, but the fact that he was a Benjamite implies a relationship with King Saul. Perhaps this was one who encouraged Saul to do away with David, feeding into his hatred. In 2 Samuel 16, later in David’s reign, while he is fleeing from his son Absalom’s rebellion, we read of Shimei, who was of Saul’s house cursing David
c. Christianity will produce enemies
i. Jesus encouraged us to love and pray for our enemies – Matthew 5:44
ii. Paul warned Timothy that all who desire to live godly will suffer persecutions – 2 Timothy 3:12
iii. Peter spoke in great detail about our enemies – 1 Peter 4:12-16
iv. Let it be understood as we will see in this psalm, that suffering does NOT always mean that you have done wrong.
v. MAY we have the disposition David displayed on this occasion in dealing with them.
II. In You I put my trust (1-2)
a.
It all begins with trust –
Trust in the Lord – Proverbs 3:5 – lean not on your own understanding.
Peter concluding his encouragement concerning our suffering said, “therefore let
those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing
good, as a faithful creator” (1 Peter 4:19).
b.
“Save me…” – truly God is our hope of salvation –
David makes reference to being devoured by his enemies. The enemies of God will
try to destroy and devour us.
Consider, Matthew 10:28 – We fear Him who is able to destroy both body and
soul. Man may be able to destroy the body, but that is all he can get.
III. “If I have done this…” (3-5)
a. David was truly innocent in this case. While there are things we read of in his life that were faults, what he is appealing to God on this occasion involved a time of pure innocence. Concerning these accusations and slandering he was blameless.
b. More than once I have heard the guilty claim that their sufferings are persecutions for righteousness when in reality, they are punishments or consequences that fit the crime. Peter warned that we should NOT suffer as an evildoer and take solace in that (1 Peter 4:15, 2:20-21).
c. David was willing to pay the price IF he was guilty. Are we?
d.
Nevertheless, we ought to strive to be blameless –
Philippians 2:15 speaks of us being “children without fault in the midst of a
crooked and perverse generation”
1 Peter 2:11-12 – with conduct that is honorable among the Gentiles, their
accusations will backfire against them
Also 1 Peter 3:16 – when they defame you as evil doers, they may be put to
shame…
Titus 2:8 speaks of having sound speech that cannot be condemned, that will put
the opponent to shame.
IV. “My defense is of God” (6-10)
a.
First David requests that God bring to an end this wickedness against
him.
Suffering WILL come as we strive to be pleasing to God and to do what is right.
We should not desire to suffer just for the sake of suffering. It is not wrong
to request that injustice and evils be brought to an end. Paul had a “thorn in
the flesh” that he requested the Lord remove 3 times (2 Corinthians 12:8).
Jesus asked God, “if it be Your will, let this cup pass from Me.”
BUT understand that David’s ultimate desire was that God’s will prevail. He
prayed, “Lift YOURSELF up…” It is in this that we request God defeat our
enemies – the enemies of good.
b. He is willing to be judged by God – David is NOT afraid of judgment.
i. He submits to the judgment of God (vs. 6) – not what he THINKS it ought to be, but what it is – God’s law.
ii. According to his righteousness and integrity (8). David had lived in such a way that he had nothing to be ashamed of as he stood before God
iii.
Are we afraid of righteous judgment? Continually we are warned that we
will be judged by the way we have lived our lives – 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans
14:10-12.
Even the enemies of God will stand before Him in judgment – 1 Peter 4:5
IF we are what we ought to be – we will not dread that day and we know that we
can boldly approach Him
Hebrews 13:5-6 speaks of him who walks right being able to boldly come before
His throne without fear.
c. He requests that the righteous be established
i. David’s request wasn’t just for himself. Vs. 7 mentions the congregation (of Israel). His desire was that goodness would prevail for their sakes. His desire was that the JUST would be established
ii. That ought to be our unselfish prayer. We desire that His will be done and His goals accomplished, EVEN if we have to suffer for it.
d. “My defense is of God” – he is putting his trust in Him.
V. God will prevail (11-12)
a.
David notes that God is a just judge – 1 Peter 2:23 speaking of the
example of Jesus speaks of Him committing Himself to God “who judges
righteously”
2 Timothy 4:8 speaks of the righteous judge that Paul would stand before
b.
He is also angry with the wicked -
Romans 2:2-9, He will judge with righteous judgment both the good and the evil.
VI. The enemies of God will fall (12-16)
a. When David speaks of God sharpening His sword and bending His bow there is an understanding that He is in control and will execute wrath, both in final judgment AND against ungodly nations in this world. That concept is taught throughout the history of Israel and their surrounding nations.
b. He prepares for Himself instruments of death – using other nations and means to accomplish His good.
c.
Often, the very pit that the evil enemy digs becomes the source of his
demise. Just as Hamaan prepared a gallow to hang Modecai on (Esther), he died
upon it himself instead.
Often the enemies of God plot “vain things” against Him only to find that they
make their intended goals worse and present them with more problems that they
started with. Such is the nature of evil and its ways. Evil begets MORE evil.
Paul warned in 1 Corinthians 3:18-20 - let no one deceive himself – God
“catches the wise in his own craftiness”
d. While times may seem bleak, AND THEY ARE, rest assured that God is in control. IF this world continues, His enemies will falter and in time goodness will prevail.
VII. “I will praise the Lord” (17)
a. As I seed David’s concluding remarks here, I see a simple concept. Regardless what happens, I will give you the praise. May your will prevail in all things.
b. Is that our goal and desire in life? If not, it ought to be.
In conclusion: Perhaps the best illustration of this psalm is seen in our Lord as He suffered on the cross, being wrongfully accused and hated. If He could pray, “Father, forgive them” and “Into your hands I commit my Spirit”, we too can let Him take care of what is right, in His time.