Psa 7:16-17 | KingComments | STEP | In these verses the wicked is spoken of in the singular. Here we are talking about the personification of evil, about the man of sin, the man in whom sin takes shape in its fullness. We recognize this person in the antichrist. He is filled with evil, there is not a trace of goodness in him. The evil done by him is expressed in him like a woman who is pregnant, travails and gives birth to a child ( ). The antichrist is out to catch others in the snare of his lie. It is compared to digging a pit for someone to catch him in it ( ). But the pit he has dug will be his own grave. He will fall into it and perish. Thus he receives retribution for the evil he has done to others. Examples of this are Saul and Haman, both of whom are pictures of the antichrist. Saul wanted to kill David by means of the Philistines and was himself killed by them ( ). Haman is hanged on the gallows he had erected for Mordecai ( ). In , David expresses the same thought in other words (cf. ). The trouble the antichrist inflicts on others “will return upon his own head” (cf. ). It works like a boomerang. This also applies to the violence he has committed, for “his violence will descend upon his own pate”. How that will happen, David leaves to God ( ). We see here the principle of the government of God: “Whatever a man sows, this he will also reap” ( ).

‏ Psalms 7:16-17

The Antichrist

In these verses the wicked is spoken of in the singular. Here we are talking about the personification of evil, about the man of sin, the man in whom sin takes shape in its fullness. We recognize this person in the antichrist. He is filled with evil, there is not a trace of goodness in him. The evil done by him is expressed in him like a woman who is pregnant, travails and gives birth to a child (Psa 7:14).

The antichrist is out to catch others in the snare of his lie. It is compared to digging a pit for someone to catch him in it (Psa 7:15). But the pit he has dug will be his own grave. He will fall into it and perish. Thus he receives retribution for the evil he has done to others. Examples of this are Saul and Haman, both of whom are pictures of the antichrist. Saul wanted to kill David by means of the Philistines and was himself killed by them (1Sam 18:17 ; 1Sam 31:1-6). Haman is hanged on the gallows he had erected for Mordecai (Est 7:9-10).

In Psa 7:16, David expresses the same thought in other words (cf. Pro 26:27). The trouble the antichrist inflicts on others “will return upon his own head” (cf. Jdg 9:56-57). It works like a boomerang. This also applies to the violence he has committed, for “his violence will descend upon his own pate”. How that will happen, David leaves to God (1Sam 26:10). We see here the principle of the government of God: “Whatever a man sows, this he will also reap” (Gal 6:7b).

Singing Praise to the LORD Most High

David has now grown so much in his trust in the LORD that he “gives thanks” to Him “according to His righteousness”. Thus, the remnant begins to sing praises before the enemy is actually destroyed (cf. 2Chr 20:21-24; Acts 16:25-26). During his prayer, he has grown more and more in the awareness that God is a righteous Judge. In His righteousness, He punishes the wicked and saves and protects the righteous. His despair has turned to firm confidence, which leads him to a song of praise to God’s justice.

The hope of the righteous is that God will eventually remove all evil from creation. He will do that through His Christ. John testifies to this when he says of the Lord Jesus: “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn 1:29). This will be started in the realm of peace. The full result will be seen and enjoyed when there is a new heaven and a new earth and eternity has begun.

David sings praise “to the name of the LORD Most High”. Here, for the first time, the name “Most High” appears in Psalms. This name of God is particularly associated with the realm of peace. We can derive this from the first time this name appears in the Bible. It occurs in a history that is a picture of the realm of peace.

It concerns Abraham’s encounter with Melchizedek after he delivered Lot and before he meets the king of Sodom (Gen 14:17-22). Melchizedek is called “a priest of God Most High”. He blesses Abraham “of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth” and praises “God Most High”. Immediately thereafter, when Abraham meets the king of Sodom, who wants to bargain with him, Abraham swears “to the LORD God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth”.

The name “Most High” says that God is exalted above all people and the whole of creation. This will be seen openly in the realm of peace, when He will put all things under the feet of the Son of Man. The Lord Jesus, as the true Melchizedek, will then bring blessing upon the earth. In the following psalm, David sings of that situation.