Psalm 7	September 3, 1998

The facts of the intro: Ps 7:1-2

1. In what situation does the psalmist find himself, and what does he believe is the solution?

pursued by enemies who will rip him to pieces while no one rescues

Take refuge in God, call on Him to make him safe and snatch him from the enemy's hands.

What does the Psalmist do when pursued? Take refuge in God. What two things does He ask God for while taking refuge? Salvation and deliverance. Safety and removal from problem situation. He does not ask for victory or revenge, just for salvation and deliverance.

List the 2 conditions under which David would not ask for God to rescue Him.

If I have repaid a friend evil for good

Or picked out an enemy without cause

In any of these cases, what three results does He say should happen?

May my adversary come after me and overtake me

trample my life to the ground

and lay my honor in the dust

How could setting free an enemy who has attacked me without cause lead to my adversary coming after me and overtaking me?

verse four could say " . . . If I have picked out an enemy for no good reason." If I've repaid evil for good, or picked on someone, making an enemy of one who did nothing to me, then let calamity fall.

What act does David consider so heinous that He does not ask God to save him if he has brought guilt on himself doing it?

It sort of has the thought of imbalance (injustice) attached to it. Repay evil for good, or pick on someone unfairly.

"If I am imbalanced," he says, "let my enemy get me back and kill me."

In what could David have taken refuge? Instead where did He? In the Lord His God!

From what is He seeking refuge? From all who pursue with the intent of taking his life as a lion drags away its prey.

Under what conditions does David suggest it would be appropriate for him to be caught by His pursuers?

If He is guilty of

rewarding evil for good

making an enemy for no reason

What does He say should happen to him if he has done these things?

Let the enemy pursue and overtake him

Let him trample his life down to the ground - death

and lay his glory in the dust - death

Does David believe he has done either of these things? How do you know?

No, He asks for God to examine the evidence and vindicate him.

What form does the judgment of the wicked take in this psalm?

He falls into the very pit he dug

His mischief returns to his own head

his violence descends on his own brow

To what characteristic of God does the psalmist attribute this form of justice?

I will give thanks to the Lord according to His righteousness.

A.	7:1-2 Introduction

a.	I take refuge in God for salvation from those who pursue me

b.	or they would tear me and rip me up while no one helps

B.	7:3-16 David's arguments

a.	7:3-5 David's first argument. I am willing to suffer the consequences if I have done wrong.

1.	If I am guilty

a.	doing evil to a friend

b.	making enemies for no reason

2.	Then let my enemy who pursues me catch me

a.	let him trample my life to ground

b.	and my honor to the dust

b.	7:6-13 David's second argument. I appeal to God because He will judge justly.

A.	Rise, Lord in your anger because of the rage of my enemies

a.	awake to decree justice

(1)	Let the assembled people gather

(2)	rule over them from on high

(3)	Let Yahweh judge the peoples

B.	Judge me according to my righteousness

a.	You are the righteous God

b.	You know hearts

(1)	Therefore bring to an end the violence of the wicked

(1')	Make the righteous secure

a'.	My shield is God most High

b'.	who saves the upright in heart

A'.	God is a righteous judge; A God who expresses his wrath every day Where there is no repentance

a.	He will sharpen his sword (execute justice)

(1)	bend and string his bow

(2)	He has prepared his deadly weapons

(3)	and makes ready his flaming arrows

a'.	Argument 3: The wicked do receive appropriate consequences.

2.	intimacy with evil births trouble and schism

a.	He who digs a hole; falls in it

b.	His trouble comes back to him

c.	his violence returns to his own head

A'.	Conclusion

a'.	I will praise God for His righteousness

b'.	and sing praise to the name of the Most High

What characteristic of God makes Him a refuge? His righteousness

How does that righteousness play out here? The wicked receive the effects of their own wickedness because He is able to judge motives and intentions.

Who is speaking here? Jesus. He is the only one who has really never made enemies without cause. He is the only One who has really acted righteously in every situation, whose heart and mind were up to the scrutiny of God Most High, to be vindicated in the judgment. But we, in Him, can claim the same right of vindication.

I thought I saw three parts, and wondered if they would fit with sin, righteousness and judgment, but it seems like this whole psalm is about judgment. Judgment usually comes in three parts, however: investigation, verdict, and execution. This isn't terribly helpful, even though all the elements are there. The Psalmist seems to bring the case from the personal situation of danger, to the ultimate principle at stake, then back to more general application, moving from the innocent one to the guilty one, from what happens to the righteous to what happens to the wicked. The beginning of the psalm is about the righteouses' need for security. The righteous turns to God for that security. He states that he is willing to live under God's government, to receive just consequences for his sin. Then he appeals to God's justness to prevail on his behalf.

I guess it is useless to ask for protection from God if you are just trying to escape the consequences for Your own actions. The Psalmist here has given us a pattern of attitudes that are vital when asking for protection from The Father.

First, know that God is a God of refuge.

Second, be willing to face the consequences of your own crimes--
even if they kill you, it will be better for you in the long run to turn from your sins and come to God for refuge. If you are in Christ, what can men do to you?

Third, realize the God's judgment over all people is fair, and submit yourself for examination of motives!

What can such a person expect from God?

First, God will be a shield.

Second, the man will be saved.

Third, the enemy will reap the consequences of his own sin if he does not repent.

Intro is proper response to danger and pursuit--Go to God

Conclusion is proper response to deliverance--praise to God because of His righteousness.

Have you ever been in such a tight place that there was no help? Here is where David finds himself. What does David say is the proper response when one is pursued and in trouble with no human help? --

Take refuge in God, calling on Him to make you safe and pull you away from the dangerous pursuit.

What two elements does that include?

1. Be willing to accept the proper consequences for your actions

2. Call on the God who knows hearts to bring an end to the violence of the wicked everywhere.

What will happen to your foe? He will either,

1. Relent or

2. Receive his own trouble back

What attribute of God's character makes Him a refuge and deserving of praise?

We praise Him for His righteousness.

Are we in the habit of doing this when in trouble from within the church? What do we usually do when enemies appear within the church? fight back or flee

What special ability does God have that makes Him a wise judge? Do we really want God to judge our minds and hearts--what really does that mean? What enables us to call on Him to judge our motives, expecting Him to find righteousness?

When have I been in such a situation as in Psalm 7? Every day. I have an enemy who would destroy me very readily, if it were not for You. The only trouble is that I am guilty. If I have done these things--repaid a friend with evil, or made an enemy for no reason--I have, I guess,Lord, You should let my enemy overtake me, but you know the heart, I have repented of my evil-doing. You are making me into an integrated, whole person. You save the upright in heart, for none of us is upright completely except Jesus! You can only make the righteous secure if they are securable. If they cannot be trusted, You cannot make them secure. Therefore this is an appeal that understands the necessary attitudes for those who are saved. What attitude will they display first and foremost? Lord, deal with me appropriately. It is deserving of death to be an enemy to a friend. I don't want to contaminate Your universe with my presence if I am going to be an enemy to those who are my friends. If that is my problem, take proper measures to protect the rest, Lord, and destroy me. The Psalmist is jealous for God's reputation. All who are saved would rather die than break the least of God's commands because they are in love with love. They would die to preserve the safety of heaven--remind you of anyone else? Who else has died rather than let heaven be contaminated with sin? The psalmist says, if I am the source, then destroy me. Jesus submitted to the same test, but was found not to be the source, and thus He could not be destroyed? Hmmm.

Interp: Why is the psalmist willing to take the consequences if he is guilty? he appreciates the justness of God. He is asking God to be just toward others, he must include himself!

The righteousness of God is key here. Do I trust Him?

What circumstance does David find himself in? Pursued by enemies who will kill him unless God saves him. -- Sound like any circumstance you have ever faced? Has life ever got you running scared? What about addictions? Do you ever run into problems so big that they will kill you if God does not intervene? -- Sometimes it seems that way when I'm really stressed, and I have to stop and say, "Even if this kills me, I know in whom I have believed.

What is the only appropriate response when we find ourselves in mortal danger? Take refuge in God.

David doesn't just ask for help, though. He begins to name some specific conditions under which he expects to receive help! What is the first condition? Don't give me help from my enemies if I provoked them. If I caused this, I am willing to accept the consequences. David does not ask God to remove his personal responsibility for his actions. He is willing to face up to his crimes if guilty. What is implied at the same time? David did not believe he was guilty. Yes, and that is the basis upon which he is asking for help. But how many of us are so zealous for God's good name, that we would say, Lord, if I am not safe for heaven, let me die here. I don't want to pollute that place of love. What kind of relationship with God did David have that would lead him to ask with this condition? He knew that God hates sin. Yes, but what has David shown about himself? He hates sin enough that he would rather die than sin! He has experienced what it is like to be on the receiving end of unfair, unjustified hostility, and he is so vehement against it that he says, "If I have done this, let me die!" Wouldn't it be wonderful to hate sin that much, that I would rather die than be unfairly hostile toward my wife! Wouldn't it be wonderful to hate sin so much that I would rather die than believe the worst of another, being hostile to them without even establishing the facts!

Notice the circumstances. This is the King God has raised up, and look at all the trouble he is getting. God is the one who brought him into the world. God is the one who annointed him for ministry, and now it looks like he's going to be killed. David is rightly bold, saying, Lord, I'm fighting for You here, I am on Your mission. I am here to accomplish Your purpose, why are you letting me be defeated? You won't! Likewise we should be bold with God who has appointed us to be victorious kings and priests for Him on this earth. We can say, "Lord, establish my cause! Do not let my enemy overtake me. I'm not just on my own, this is Your enemy, too!"