Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
1 “I come to YOU for protection, O LORD my GOD. Save me from my persecutors – rescue me! 2 If YOU don’t, they will maul me like a lion, tearing me into pieces with no one to rescue me. 3 O LORD my GOD, if I have done wrong or am guilty of injustice, if I have betrayed a friend or plundered my enemy without cause, then let my enemies capture me. Let them trample me into the ground. Let my honor be left in the dust.” ~ Psalm 7:1-5
David wrote this psalm, which he sang to the LORD, concerning the Cush of the tribe of Benjamin. It was a request for justice against those who made slanderous and hurtful comments. GOD is the perfect judge and will punish those who persecute the innocent.
6 “Arise, O LORD, in anger! Stand up against the fury of my enemies! Wake up, my GOD, and bring justice! 7 Gather the nations before YOU. Sit on YOUR throne high above them. 8 The LORD passes judgment on the nations. Declare me righteous, O LORD, for I am innocent, O MOST HIGH!” – Psalm 7:6-8 – We have all felt like this a time or two – someone falsely accuses us of something or hurts us so badly that all we want is revenge. David wrote this psalm in response to the slanderous accusations of those who claimed he was trying to kill Saul and seize the throne.
7 “So David sharply rebuked his men and did not let them kill Saul. After Saul had left the cave and had gone on his way, 8 David came out and shouted after him, “My lord and king!” And when Saul looked around, David bowed before him. 9 Then he shouted to Saul, “Why do you listen to the people who say I am trying to harm you? 10 This very day you can see with your own eyes it is not true. For the LORD placed you at my mercy back there in the cave, and some of my men told me to kill you, but I spared you. For I said, ‘I will never harm him – he is the LORD’s anointed one.’ 11 Look my father, at what I have in my hand. It is a piece of your robe! I cut it off, but I did not kill you. This proves that I am not trying to harm you and that I have not sinned against you, even though you have been hunting for me to kill me.” – 1 Samuel 24:7-11 – Rather than taking matters into his own hands and striking back, David cried out to GOD for justice. The proper response when someone hurts and/or slanders us is prayer, not revenge, because GOD says – “I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it.” – “Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to GOD. For it is written, ‘I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it’, says the LORD.” – Romans 12:19 – In Deuteronomy the LORD again tells us – 35 “I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it. In due time their feet will slip. Their day of disaster will arrive and their destiny will overtake them. 36 Indeed, the LORD will take revenge for HIS servants, when HE sees their strength is gone and no one is left, slave or free.” – Deuteronomy 32:35-36
Rather than striking back when someone has slandered our hurt you, ask GOD to take your case, bring justice, and restore your reputation. Let go and let GOD.
Father, we come to YOU for protection. Save us from our persecutors LORD – rescue us! If we have done wrong or if we are guilty of injustice, if we have betrayed a friend or plundered our enemy without cause, we ask forgiveness Father GOD. But, LORD, if we are innocent we ask that YOU rise, O LORD, in anger! Stand up against the fury of our enemies and bring justice to us! Gather them before YOU. Sit on YOUR throne high above them, and pass judgment on them, then LORD, we will be declared righteous.
