---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Psalms 7"
description: "PSALM 7   :-. Shiggaion—a plaintive song or elegy. Though
obscure in details, this title seems to intimate that the occasion of
this Psalm was some event"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/psalms/7"
---

PSALM 7

. *Shiggaion*—a plaintive song or elegy. Though
obscure in details, this title seems to intimate that the occasion of
this Psalm was some event in David's persecution by Saul. He prays
for relief because he is innocent, and God will be glorified in his
vindication. He thus passes to the celebration of God's righteous
government, in defending the upright and punishing the wicked, whose
malignant devices will result in their own ruin; and, confident of
God's aid, he closes with rejoicing.

**1, 2.** Though many enemies set
upon him, one is singled out as prominent, and compared to a wild
beast tearing his prey to pieces (compare [1 Samuel 20:1](../../../kjv/1-samuel/20/1);
[1 Samuel 23:23](../../../kjv/1-samuel/23/23); [1 Samuel 26:19](../../../kjv/1-samuel/26/19)).

**3. if I have done this**—that
is, the crime charged in the "words of Cush" (compare ).

**4.** If I have injured my friend.
**yea, I have delivered,**
c.—This makes a good sense, but interrupts the course of thought,
and hence it is proposed to render, "if I have spoiled my
enemy"—in either case (compare [1 Samuel 24:4-17](../../../kjv/1-samuel/24/4-17)
[1 Samuel 31:8](../../../kjv/1-samuel/31/8); [1 Samuel 31:11](../../../kjv/1-samuel/31/11)).

**5.** This is the consequence, if
such has been his conduct.
**mine honour**—(compare
[Psalms 3:3](../../../kjv/psalms/3/3); [Psalms 4:2](../../../kjv/psalms/4/2))
—my personal and official dignity.

**6.** God is involved as if
hitherto careless of him ([Psalms 3:7](../../../kjv/psalms/3/7);
[Psalms 9:18](../../../kjv/psalms/9/18)).
**rage**—the most violent,
like a flood rising over a river's banks.
**the judgment . . .
commanded**—or, "ordained"; a just decision.

**7. compass thee**—as those
seeking justice.
**return thou on high**—assume
the judgment seat, to be honored as a just Ruler by them.

**8.** Though not claiming innocence
in general, he can confidently do so in this case, and in demanding
from the Judge of all the earth a judgment, he virtually asks
acquittal.

**9. the hearts and reins**—the
affections and motives of men, or the seat of them (compare [Psalms 16:7](../../../kjv/psalms/16/7);
[Psalms 26:2](../../../kjv/psalms/26/2)); as we use heart and
bosom or breast.

**10. defence**—literally,
"shield" ([Psalms 5:12](../../../kjv/psalms/5/12)).

**11. judgeth**—as in .
**the wicked**—Though not
expressed, they are implied, for they alone are left as objects of
anger.

**12, 13.** They are here distinctly
pointed out, though by changing the person, a very common mode of
speech, one is selected as a representative of wicked men generally.
The military figures are of obvious meaning.

**13. against the persecutors**—Some
render "for burning," but the former is the best sense.
Arrows for burning would be appropriate in besieging a town, not in
warring against one man or a company in open fight.

**14.** The first clause expresses
the general idea that wicked men labor to do evil, the others carry
out the figure fully.

**15, 16.** [1 Samuel 18:17](../../../kjv/1-samuel/18/17);
[1 Samuel 31:2](../../../kjv/1-samuel/31/2) illustrate the statement
whether alluded to or not. These verses are expository of [1 Samuel 31:2](../../../kjv/1-samuel/31/2), showing how the devices of the wicked end in
disappointment, falsifying their expectations.

**17. his righteousness**— (). Thus illustrated in the defense of His servant and
punishment of the wicked.

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