FRAMING THE PSALMS: PSALM 7

Aids to introduce the psalms sung in worship.

John Brown of Haddington, 18th century Scottish theologian.

Here, accused of traitorous conspiracy against his sovereign by king Saul, or by Cush one of his courtiers, David

(1.) Appeals to God, concerning his innocence of that crime, ver. 3-5.

(2.) He supplicates, that God, as governor of the world, and King of Israel, would protect him from danger, plead his cause and give judgment for him, ver. 1, 2, 6, 9.

(3.) In the exercise of faith, he depends on God, to protect and deliver him, and to avenge the injuries he had sustained upon his implacable adversaries, ver. 10, 16.

(4.) He resolves to ascribe the glory of all his deliverances to God alone, ver. 17.

WHILE I SING, let me contemplate the spotless innocence and the finished righteousness of my Redeemer, together with the injurious usage he received from his brethren of mankind and the fearful ruin which has befallen, or awaits his incorrigible foes. Let me carefully approve myself in his sight who searches my heart, and who must quickly be my final judge. Let me implore the just vengeance of heaven, against my spiritual enemies. And not unto me, but to his name be the glory and praise of all my protection and deliverance.

John Cumming, 19th century Scottish Presbyterian.

David, being falsely accused by Cush, one of the kinsmen of Saul, (2 Sam. xvi. 7), has recourse to his God for defence and deliverance. In verses 3—5, he vindicates his innocence of those crimes which were laid to his charge. In verses  5 — 9, he entreats the Lord to make known the real character of his enemies, not merely for his sake, but for the sake of His church. In the remainder of the Psalm, he predicts the overthrow and ruin of his foes, and the glory that willthence redound to his God.

If we are in Christ Jesus, neither the accuser of the brethren, nor the law which Christ has fulfilled in our stead, shall be able to lay anything to the charge of God's elect. Let us, however, strive at further attainments in that evangelical righteousness which the Holy Spirit alone can foster, and thus " let our light shine before men, that they, seeing our good works, may glorify our Father which is in heaven."

SING THIS PSALM with earnest desires to be delivered from sin, and the world, and the flesh — our persecuting foes ; and with confidence that our prayers will be heard.

David Dickson   Scottish Covenanter, 17th century

The Prophet as a type of Christ mystical, and an example  of Christians suffering, being slandered of treason against his Prince, by one of the courtiers: First, flees to God for delivery, ver. 1, 2. 

Secondly, declares his innocence, ver. 3, 4, 5. Thirdly, requests the Lord to judge between him and his enemies, ver. 6, 7, 8, 9. Fourthly, in prayer is made confident that the Lord will plead for him against his enemies, ver. 10, 11, 12, 13, and will return their devised mischief against him, upon their own head, ver. 14, 15, 16. Whereupon, in the last place, he promises praise to God for his righteous judgment, ver. 17.