Breakthrough in Justice - Psalm 7 - January 20, 2008

Sunday School Lesson – Breakthrough in Justice – January 20, 2008

This is lesson three (3) in our series of study “Experience a Breakthrough.”

Our scripture is Psalm Chapter 7, which is a shiggaion or a song or lyrical poem written under strong mental emotion or can be associated with drink. The poem or song is set to music. Some Bible scholars believe that David wrote this when King Saul was falsely accusing him of trying to take over his throne. The identity of Cush the Benjamite is not known but we know that Saul was a Benjamite. The bottom line is that David wrote this and it reflects much emotional stress. David’s encounter with King Saul is found in 1 Samuel 24:9-11, where he attempts to prove to Saul that he is innocent of trying to kill him and take control of his throne.

It is often a good idea to put things into writing when we are under emotional stress because it gets it out of our head onto a piece of paper. When it is on paper we can see what is stressing us and how rational it may or may not be. It gives us an opportunity to examine our hearts and we can honestly and openly seek the LORD’S help in working through the circumstance or situation. Sometimes our situation is so personal our flesh will not let us release it. Once the situation has been resolved, we can always destroy the paper.

David knew emotional stress. The words he penned likely helped him to focus on the provision, ability and power of GOD to come to his aid. David was rational enough to consider that he might be the cause of his circumstances. Emotional situations are often a two way street, our part and the part of someone or something else. David believed he was innocent but in case he had overlooked something, he asked the LORD to take action on him if he was the one at fault.

The theme of this Psalm is that those being wrongly accused of something can go to GOD for help and vindication. It is an awful thing to know that you are being accused of something that you had no part in doing. It is hard to wait upon the LORD. This is where our relationship with our LORD sustains us. Do we or can we trust or have confidence in our LORD to come to our aid? If not, this highlights a critical area in our spiritual growth and maturity that needs to be revealed to us and in turn, we need to confess it to our LORD. I will be the first to admit this is a very hard thing to do because our flesh wants to rise up and take charge. Instead of revenge on our part, we should immediately confess to our LORD that our hearts need to be cleansed of something that prevents us from trusting HIM to handle the situation and resolve it.

In Romans 12:19 we find:
19 Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His[2] Lit the wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay,[3] Dt 32:35 says the Lord. (Deuteronomy 32:35)

This Psalm became a song people sang. Believers can benefit from the experiences of other believers but again, we must be careful that the experiences of others do not become a receipt for getting GOD to work in our own lives. HE works in many different ways and HIS desire is for each believer to get to know HIM intimately. HE wants HIS presence in each believer to be personal and unique. This requires each believer to be intimate with the LORD.

Salvation is the beginning of our unique journey with our LORD. Even the salvation experience of each person is unique. I have heard of some people just saying, “LORD, I give up.” It is never the words, it is always the attitude of the heart and GOD knows our hearts. HE already knows us intimately because HE knew us before HE created the world and HE knew us when we were knitted together in our mother’s womb. HE wants us to know HIM.

Let’s read Psalm 7:1-2:

1 Lord my God, I seek refuge in You; save me from all my pursuers and rescue me, 2 or they[5] Lit he will tear me like a lion,[6] Ps 57:4; Isa 38:13 ripping me apart, with no one to rescue me.[7] Lit ripping, and without a rescuer
David was in a dire situation and begins his Psalm with “LORD my GOD”, which shows David’s heart toward GOD. We do not know the situation but he needed help from GOD or else he was subject to being torn apart like a lion rips apart its prey to devout it. David was desperate and his hope was in the hand of GOD.

This shows where David’s heart was and it gives us guidance as to where we need to turn in times of trouble. David made it clear GOD was his LORD. HE knew GOD and trusted that he could find refuge in HIM. In fact “trust” means “to take refuge.”

I remember years ago, my family and I were driving on a two-lane highway. Approaching us was a string of about five cars. It was dark and all of a sudden, about the fourth car back in the string of cars swung out to pass all the other cars and was coming directly toward us. I remember asking the LORD, “What do I do?” HIS answer was “nothing” (HE answered but HIS answer was “do nothing”.) and in an instant, it was like the hand of GOD reached out and guided that car around us on the right shoulder of the road. I saw in the rear view mirror that the car went back into the same slot it had come out of. My wife asked me “Why did they do that?” I said, “To keep from hitting us.” That moment was like sitting in the most perfect calm. I still stand amazed at what happened that moment and with much praise and gratitude to HIM for HIS care. I know there have been many others who have been in circumstances that did not come out as well. Only our LORD knows why and HE is sovereign.

Let’s read Psalm 7:3-5:

3 Lord my God, if I have done this, if there is injustice on my hands, 4 if I have done harm to one at peace with me or have plundered[8] Or me and have spared my adversary without cause, 5 may an enemy pursue and overtake me; may he trample me to the ground and leave my honor in the dust.• Selah

Again, we see David’s heart through the words he used. He addressed GOD in a real and intimate way. The word “injustice” carries the idea of “crookedness.” David was opening himself up to the scrutiny of GOD.

To David’s knowledge, he had not done anything wrong. But in case he had overlooked something, he asked GOD not to protect him and allow an enemy to trample his honor or glory into the ground.

David was sincere in his request to GOD because his heart was focused on GOD to either deliver him or punish him.

Let’s read Psalm 7: 6-11:

6 Rise up, Lord, in Your anger; lift Yourself up against the fury of my adversaries; awake for me;[9] LXX reads awake, Lord my God You have ordained[10] Or me; ordain a judgment. 7 Let the assembly of peoples gather around You; take Your seat[11] MT reads and return on high over it. 8 The Lord judges the peoples; vindicate me, Lord, according to my righteousness and my integrity.[12] Lit integrity on me [13] Ps 26:1; 35:24; 43:1 9 Let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous. The One who examines the thoughts and emotions[14] Lit examines hearts and kidneys is a righteous God.[15] Heb 4:12 10 My shield is with[16] Lit on God, who saves the upright in heart. 11 God is a righteous judge, and a God who executes justice every day.

David looked to GOD as his deliverer and the judge of all mankind. David asked GOD to vindicate him according to his righteousness and integrity in verse 8. “Vindicate me” means to “Judge me” so David is asking GOD to judge him as well. His desire is to be righteous before GOD and others. This brings to mind the Model Prayer, “Forgive us as we forgive others.”

David asked GOD to conquer evil and establish the righteous. He trusted GOD to judge and execute justice on a daily basis.

Let’s read Psalm 7:12-17:

12 If anyone does not repent, God[17] Lit He will sharpen His sword; He has strung[18] Lit bent; that is, bent the bow to string it His bow and made it ready. 13 He has prepared His deadly weapons; He tips His arrows with fire. 14 See, he is pregnant with evil, conceives trouble, and gives birth to deceit. 15 He dug a pit and hollowed it out, but fell into the hole he had made. 16 His trouble comes back on his own head, and his violence falls on the top of his head.[19] Ps 140:9–11; Est 9:25 17 I will thank the Lord for His righteousness; I will sing about the name of the Lord, the • Most High.

David acknowledged that GOD will judge all people either while they are upon earth or after they depart earth in death. For those who do not repent, GOD will be the final judge and those practicing evil will be caught one way or the other in their own deceit. Those who practice evil will be judged and come to justice but David trusted in the LORD and he would sing praises to HIM.

In the end, evil will destroy itself. Violent people become victims of violence and often innocent people are caught in this violence. In the end, GOD will be the judge of all mankind. David ended with a song of praise which reflected his confidence and trust in GOD.

When we trust GOD to take the right action, with no preconceived notion of how HE should proceed, then we are in the right relationship with HIM. Our part must always be to focus on our relationship with our LORD and not let anything come between us and HIM.

We can be encouraged by the testimony of others. It is vital that we have our own testimony with our LORD, as we get to know HIM more intimately each day, through our relationship with HIM.