A Brief Explication of the First Fifty Psalms, Psalm 7
PSAL. VII. Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the Lord, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamine.
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 fleeth to God for delivery, ver. 1, 2. Secondly, cleareth his innocencie, ver. 3, 4, 5. Thirdly, requesteth the Lord to judge between him and his enemies, ver. 6, 7, 8, 9. And fourthly, in prayer is made confident, that the Lord will plead for him against his enemies, ver. 10, 11, 12, 13. and will returne their devised mischief against him, upon their owne head, ver. 14, 15, 16. Whereupon in the last place he promiseth praise to God for his righteous judgement, ver· 17.
Ver. 1. O Lord, my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:
2. Lest he teare my soul like a Lion, renting it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
AS to the first part, wherein he fleeth to God to bee delivered from the bloody tongues of calumniators; Learn, 1. It is a part of the exercise of Christs servants, to bee slandered as Traitors to their lawful Magistrates, as David was by Cush, a flattering courtier. 2. God who is able to clear the innocent, and to defend them from malice, is in this case to be run unto, and use is to be made of faith in him, and our Covenant with him, for reliefe from all adversaries, as the Prophet doth here. 3. If God do not interpose himselfe, for defence of his unjustly slandered Servants, there is nothing to be expected from wicked enemies inraged, but mercilesse beastly crueltie, as is showne in Davids experience.
Ver. 3. O Lord my God, if I have done this, if there be iniquity in my hands.
4. If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at pe…ce with me, (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is my enemie.)
5. Let the enemie persecute my soule, and take it; yea, let him tread downe my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.
In the second place, wherein hee cleareth his own innocency, Learn 1. Though innocency cannot exempt a man from being unjustly slandered, yet it will furnish him with a good conscience, and much boldnesse in the particular, before God; as here is seene, ver. 3, 4. 2. The more a man doth render for evil good, the more confidence shall hee have, when hee cometh to God; for innocencie served David for this good use, That hee had delivered Saul, who without cause was his enemie, vers. 4. 3. He that is conscious of doing, or intending injury to his neighbour, will have his own conscience against him, in the time when hee meeteth with a greater injury done to him, and in that case will be forced to justifie Gods righteousnesse against himselfe, as Davids conditional prayer doth here imoort, ver. 5.
V. 6. Arise, O Lord, in thine anger, lift up thy self, because of the r…ge of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgement that thou hast commanded.
7. So shall the Congregation of the people compasse thee about; for their sakes, therefore returne thou on high.
8. The Lord shall judge the people: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousnesse, and according to mine integrity that is in me.
9. Oh let the wickednesse of the wicked come to an end, but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
In the third place, hee prayeth that God would judge betweene him and his enemies: Whence learne, 1. Though the Lord for the tryal and exercise of his children, sit still as it were, for a time, when men are about to oppresse them; yet will hee in due time manifest himself to be no idle spectator of wrong, but a just defender of the oppressed, and avenger of the injurious, He wil arise in anger, and lift up himselfe. 2. When our enemies are desperately malicious, and nothing can mitigate their fury; let the consideration of Gods justice mitigate our passion: for he wil arise in anger against them. 3. There is no lesse just zeale in God, to defend his owne oppressed people, then there is malice in the wicked, to wrong them: For his rising in anger, is here opposed to the rage of the enemies. 4. Albeit judgment against the oppressour be not at the first executed, yet God in his Word hath given out sentence against them, and in his active providence, hath prepared means and instruments for execution thereof in due time; When hee shall awake to execute the judgement which hee hath commanded, or given order for. 5. When the Lord ariseth to judge his enemies, then the Lords people will draw warmly unto him, and as it were, compasse him round about. 6. In calling for justice upon the wicked enemies of Gods people, wee should not be led with private passion, or desire of revenge, but with desire of Gods glory, and edification of his people: for their sakes prayeth he, return thou on high, or ascend to thy Tribunal Seat. 7. Principles of Religion, whereof we may have use in our exercises, should be solidly digested, that we may apply them readily to use, as neede requireth, for strengthening of our faith, and prayer to God: for when the Prophet hath setled his faith upon the Doctrine of Gods judging and executing justice in favours of his people, in the general, hee applyeth it to his own particular, saying, judge me O Lord. 8. When a man hath made peace with God about all his sins, upon the termes of grace and mercy, through the Sacrifice of the Mediatour, he may in comparison with his injurious enemies, in a particular cause, appeale to Gods justice to decide the controversie; as here the Prophet doth, saying, Iudge me according to my righteousnesse, O Lord, and mine integrity that is in me. 9. When a processe hath beene lying long before God, and the controversie between the godly and their persecuters is not yet decided, the godly may put in a bill for passing the decree, and executing of the sentence, as here is done: Oh let the wickednesse of the wicked come to an end, &c. 10. The upright man needs not to fear that his enemies shall obtain a decree in their favours, or suspension, or reduction of the sentence pronounced: For the righteous God tryeth the heart and the reins.
Ver. 10. My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.
11. God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
12. If hee turne not, he wil whet his sword; hee hath bent his bow and made it ready.
13. Hee hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecuters.
14. Behold he travelleth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischiefe, and brought forth falshood.
15. Hee made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which hee made.
16. His mischief shall return upon his owne head, and his violent dealing shal come down upon his owne pate.
In the fourth place is the answer of his prayer, viz. assurance given of delivery to him, and of judgment on his …: Whereupon the supplicant giveth thanks to God. Whence learne, 1. The fruit of faith joyned with a good conscience, is accesse to God in prayer, confidence, peace and tranquillity of mind, mitigation of trouble, protection and deliverance, as the Prophets experience here doth prove. 2. Victory granted unto faith, after wrestling with darkness is satisfactory to the soul of the godly, as if all that … did hope for were perfected; for he is now clear to … My defence is of God, &c. 3. Whatsoever we doe think… … the time of tentation, neither justice against the wicked, 1. mercy toward the godly is idle; for Gods Word and Worke… do speake mercy to the one, and wrath to the other, ever… day; all things are working for the ones good, and for the others dammage continually; For God judgeth the righteous, and is angry with the wicked every day. 4. God delayeth the execution of his judgement on the wicked, to lead them to repentance; for here God hath whet his sword to strike, if the wicked turn not. 5. If repentance intervene not, the destruction of the wicked is inevitable: If he turn not, the instruments of death are prepared, and the arrowes directed towards the persecuters. 6. It is a matter of no smal pains that the sinner is put unto, to serve the Divel and his owne corrupt affections, hee travelleth as with a child, he digs a pit, one of the hardest pieces of worke to slaves. 7. When once the wicked hath conceived mischiefe, hee cannot rest till hee bring his purpose to action, that his sinful thoughts may be wrought in effect: Hee conceiveth mischief, and travelleth with iniquity. 8. The adversary of Gods people shall have no profit of all his labour, but shall be met with disappointment, Hee bringeth forth falshood, and the evil which is most contrary to his hope and intention shall befall him: Hee is fallen in the ditch which hee made, and his mischief shall returne upon his own head, &c. as a stone throwne up against heaven, returneth upon the head of him who did throw it.
Vers. 17. I will praise the Lord according to his righteousnesse: and will sing praise to the Name of the Lord most high.
In the last place he promiseth praise, and closeth his son… so. Whence learn, 1. The issue of the hardest exercise of the godly, is comfort to their souls, and praise to God, as here … see. 2. When faith is sensibly satisfied, and setled in assurance of what was promised, it will be glad and give thanks for what is to come, as if it were in possession alreadie: so speaketh this conclusion, I will praise the Lord, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord. 3. Let the party opposer of the godly be never so powerful and violent, and his place in the world never so high, faith may set to its seal, that God shal mafest himself a righteous Judge in power and authority above the highest oppressing powers on earth: I will sing praise to the Name of the Lord most high.