A Study of Psalm 7
Psalm 7
Introduction
- Psalms broken into 5 books, covered an extensive time period
- Gathered together as songs of praise & words of encouragement/warning
- We are studying book 1, Psalm 1-41 … then will move to something else
- There are psalms of wisdom, royal psalms, lament psalms, & thanksgiving
- There are also psalms of pilgrimage and enthronement (majesty of God) psalms
- If we determine to apply ourselves, this could be a life changing study
- We are in a tough time for our church; believe that God is still at work
- I want us, as a church, to ask and see if we can’t rejoice more
- We ought to be able to praise, and prayerfully you will want more daily
- Read Psalm 7 / Pray
Point 1 – David’s Pleas to the Lord
David’s plea: “Save me”
• From my enemies (1)
- David’s desire is right from the beginning: Save me, Lord
- He puts all his trust in the Lord’s ability and not his own
• From all evil (2)
- Also, he describes the ordeal he is going through (re: Absalom)
- Save me from those who desire to tear me apart; to ruin me; to destroy me
- APP: What is critical here is that this is King David, a ruler and commander
-- Yet, he does not rely on his own strength and might … but calls on God’s
-- For you and me, there is no greater example that we are given
Then, David asks God, “Search me”
• I invite your examination (3-4)
- There is nothing more humbling than asking god to search you
-- David’s request is: If I have done wrong, then reveal it Lord”
-- David then lists the myriad of accusations being hurled against him
-- His ask is: If these things are true, then Lord, show them to me
• I invite your correction (5)
- Not only show them, but God, correct me if that is what I need
-- APP: If David is guilty, then Lord, let my enemy capture/trample me
- Note the implication here: If I’ve done wrong, then God, please punish me
- Consider this ask … would you be willing to be so bold in your request?
-- Would you be willing to ask for God’s correction in your life?
- The example we have in David is simple … “I want ONLY you, Lord.”
- TRANS: When we ask God to search us, He will always show us our wrongs…
-- And when we’ve repented, we too can stand victorious and ask things of Him
Point 2 – David’s Requests of God
- David’s heart is confirmed that he is blameless in these areas
-- Note: There is no clear understanding of how this is confirmed – but
-- His tone changes to one of asking for vindication from God
- Therefore, he makes two specific requests from God:
1) Support Me
• Arise in your anger (6); Rise up God because you are righteous
• Attack my adversaries (6-7); Asks God to fight the battle for him
• Arraign the peoples (7-8); Charge those who are guilty as being guilty
• Abolish the wicked (9); Bring an end to the violence
• Affirm the righteous (9); Secure the righteous in their innocence
- David’s first cry to the Lord is very specific: Lord, let you be victorious
-- Why is this important? Because when we are cast down, it is about God
- David’s first proclamation is that God would support him
-- It is a sign of servanthood that David shows here: “God, you are at work here”
2) Shield Me
• With God’s defense (10-11); God, your defense is best
• With God’s sword (12); God, your sword can defeat all enemies
• With God’s bow (12); Lord, prepare your bow to go to war
• With God’s arrows (13); Lord, you are in a constant ready state; able
• With God’s enemies (14-16); David uses a unique analogy here
- He is describing the enemy as one who is pregnant with evil; ready to deliver
-- The enemy prepares the hole that will ensnare him (by doing evil acts)
-- What they stir up comes back to them; because God will be victorious
• With God’s victory (17); Lord, because you are God you will win
- David declares: I will give thanks because of who God is
-- APP: He is righteous, he deserves all the praise, He will still be victorious
Big Idea – x
- We too will find ourselves in difficult positions along the day
-- We will be cursed down, ridiculed, and put aside by even those closest to us
-- Our friends, our family, our co-workers, etc.
- How we respond tells a great testimony for the world to see
-- Do we run to our God for shelter and comfort … or do we wage war ourselves?
- The mighty David ran to God for protection
- Notice how he went from despair to rejoicing?
- This could be the life that we lead as well … if we will submit to God like this!
- Pray
