Psalms 7:1

Introduction

The psalmist prays against the malice of his enemies, Psa 7:1, Psa 7:2; protests his own innocence, Psa 7:3-5; prays to God that he would vindicate him, for the edification of his people, Psa 7:6-8; prays against the wickedness of his enemies, Psa 7:9; expresses strong confidence in God, Psa 7:10; threatens transgressors with God's judgments, Psa 7:11-13; shows the conduct and end of the ungodly, Psa 7:14-16; and exults in the mercy and lovingkindness of his Maker, Psa 7:17.

This Psalm is entitled, Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the Lord, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite. The word שגיון shiggayon comes from שגה shagah, to wander, a wandering song; i.e., a Psalm composed by David in his wanderings, when he was obliged to hide himself from the fury of Saul.

Bishop Horsley thinks it may have its name, a wandering ode, from its being in different parts, taking up different subjects, in different styles of composition. But he has sometimes thought that shiggaion might be an unpremeditated song; an improviso.

As to Cush the Benjamite, he is a person unknown in the Jewish history; the name is probably a name of disguise; and by it he may covertly mean Saul himself, the son of Kish, who was of the tribe of Benjamin. The subject of the Psalm will better answer to Saul's unjust persecution and David's innocence, than to any other subject in the history of David.

Verse 1

O Lord my God - יהוה אלהי Yehovah Elohai, words expressive of the strongest confidence the soul can have in the Supreme Being. Thou self-existent, incomprehensible, almighty, and eternal Being, who neither needest nor hatest any thing that thou hast made; thou art my God: God in covenant with thy creature man; and my God and portion particularly. Therefore, in thee do I put thy trust - I repose all my confidence in thee, and expect all my good from thee.

Save me - Shield me from my persecutors; abate their pride, assuage their malice, and confound their devices!

Deliver me - From the counsels which they have devised, and from the snares and gins they have laid in my path.
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