Bible Commentaries

CONTENTS

The Psalmist is here appealing unto God, against the false accusations of his enemies. He expresseth a well-grounded confidence that he shall be heard and just fled.

Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the Lord, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite.

Psalms 7:1

Some have supposed that Shiggaion means a song or psalm. And if so, we may learn from it, that the writer was not discomposed in spirit to sing unto the Lord, because he was unjustly accused. And sure it ought not at any time, nor upon any occasion, to take off our devout frame towards God, because we are persecuted by man. But, as the chief scope of this beautiful Psalm looks far beyond the private circumstances of David, and evidently is directed to speak of David's Lord, we shall do well to seek the teachings of God the Holy Ghost, as we pass through the several verses of it, to be on the lookout for Jesus. In the very opening of the Psalm, we may observe how the Lord Jesus hath an eye to the covenant engagements of the Father; for while he calleth Jehovah his God, he reminds him of his promised help, which in the charter of heaven, concerning the redemption Jesus engaged for, Jehovah pledged himself, on his part, that the enemy should not exact upon him, nor the son of wickedness afflict him; for God said, I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him. Psalms 89:22-23.

That Satan is here meant, and that it is Christ to whom the chief scope of the Psalm is directed, see Psalms 22:12-21; Song of Solomon 4:8.

While we keep our eye stedfastly on Christ, as the person here specially treated of, we may secondarily, and subordinately, look at David, king of Israel. We by no means lessen the importance of the former, by having respect also to the latter. Nay, from considering David king of Israel as one of Christ's mystical members, and, as such, partaking in the sufferings and reproaches of Christ, we give greater glory to the suffering Head. Of David it might be said, in his kindness for the ill-treatment from Cush, the Benjamite, which no doubt means Saul, that he requited good for evil, and delivered him, who without any cause, was his enemy. 1 Samuel 24:4-7. and again, 1 Samuel 26:8.

Is there not in these words, concerning the judgment Jehovah hath commanded, a reference to the very judgment seat of Christ, to which the Lord our Mediator is appointed supreme judge, because he is the Son of man? John 5:27. It is there, finally and fully, the congregating of the people shall be. But whether this be so or not, one thing is certain, none but Jesus can make an appeal to it, from this distinguishing feature of character, which belongs wholly to him, the righteousness and the integrity that is in him. Precious view of the Lamb of God! Thou, and thou only, art holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.

If we read these verses with reference to David's history, how were these truths confirmed in the instance of the Benjamite Saul? And if we read them with reference to a greater than David, even David's Lord, what an awful example doth the history of Judas afford in confirmation. Acts 1:18.

Sweet and blessed conclusion to a Psalm of trials and persecutions! Such was it in the instance of Jesus, and such will it be among all the followers of Jesus: as the glorious Head, so the members all join in the praises of God's salvation; and this, which is now the song of grace, will be the everlasting hallelujah of heaven, when Jesus and his church will be crowned in glory, and every enemy put under their feet.

REFLECTIONS

BLESSED Lord! how refreshing is it, in every view the Holy Ghost is pleased to give of thee, to behold thee as our glorious Head. In persecutions, as well as in sufferings, in reproaches, as well as unjust judgment, thou shalt have the preeminence. Oh! for grace to eye thee in the path of tribulation going before thy church and people, and marking the way by thine own spotless example. But oh! for larger portions of that meekness of spirit by which thy walk was distinguished. Of Jesus only could it be fully said, that when he was reviled, he reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously!

Reader! in our improvements of the divine subject which this Psalm holds forth, under all the persecutions which in our lesser trials we meet with in the way, let an eye to Jesus animate our minds and comfort our hearts, that finally and fully, we shall find cause to sing the same song as is here sung, in praising the Lord according to his righteousness, and singing praises to the name of the Lord most high. This will be our everlasting song; neither should the oppositions of the ungodly put our minds out of tune for singing it with grace in our hearts now. In Jesus and his great salvation, we are already led to anticipate the triumphs which must ere long be our own over all the enemies of our faith; and the promise is absolute in him, and the power of his might, which saith, that the God of peace will bruise Satan under our feet shortly.