What does Psalm 7:17 mean?
David celebrates the Lord's victory over his enemies. He gives thanks to God, acknowledging that He is righteous. He also praises God, calling Him "the LORD, the Most High." In Hebrew this is Yhwh 'Elyon. We first see "God Most High," which in Hebrew is ēl 'Elyon, in Genesis 14:18 where Melchizedek is identified as "priest of [ēl 'Elyon,] God Most High." This name occurs multiple times in the Psalms. It identifies God as the supreme, exalted sovereign in heaven.When the angel Gabriel told Mary she would conceive a son, he said the son "will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High" (Luke 1:32). A demon-possessed man fell down before Jesus and called Him "Jesus, Son of the Most High God" (Mark 5:7; Luke 8:28). Like God the Father, Jesus the Son is sovereign. Colossians 1:17 says, "he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
David is confident in God and the justice which is in store. Believers can be sure they are victors through Jesus, the Son of the Most High God (John 3:16–18; Romans 8:31–39; 1 Corinthians 15:50–58)!
Psalm 7:12–17 is the closing section of this psalm. David expresses confidence in God's inevitable punishment of the wicked. David's enemies would be defeated by God, whom David describes as a warrior prepared for battle. The psalm began with a prayer for deliverance and concludes with thanks for answered prayer.
David takes refuge in God and asks to be rescued from those seeking his life. He boldly defends himself from accusations of fraud or plunder. Rather than seek his own revenge, David calls on the Lord to execute judgment. The wicked man plots evil, is full of mischief, and gives birth to lies. However, trouble will come back to strike such a person. His sin and violence will lead to a sinful, violent end. David concludes this psalm by giving thanks and praise to the Lord.
