Psalm 7:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: O Lord my God, if I have done this, if there is wrong in my hands,

NIV: Lord my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands—

NASB: O Lord my God, if I have done this, If there is injustice in my hands,

CSB: Lord my God, if I have done this, if there is injustice on my hands,

NLT: O Lord my God, if I have done wrong or am guilty of injustice,

KJV: O Lord my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;

NKJV: O Lord my God, if I have done this: If there is iniquity in my hands,

Scripture does not explicitly identify any sin, by David, that would match what he says in these verses. This seems to be David's response to an accusation, more than an actual confession. In prior verses, David mentioned his enemies (Psalm 7:1–2), so these verses (Psalm 7:4–5) may be a declaration of his innocence. Less likely is that they are a sincere plea for God's mercy if their accusations turn out to be true.

This verse uses two "if" statements: "if I have done this," and "if there is wrong in my hands." That does not mean David wonders whether he has committed these acts. Rather, David's enemies may have slandered him. They might have accused him of taking bribes or committing some treachery. Since David's conscience was clear and his motives and deeds were pure, he asked the Lord to search him and vindicate him. This is somewhat like a modern person saying, "you can take me to jail if I'm lying, but I know I'm telling the truth."

Believers may be slandered, but they should live in such a way that no one can legitimately bring an accusation against them. Paul insists in 1 Timothy 3 that an overseer must be above reproach and be well-thought of by outsiders (1 Timothy 3:2, 7), and he writes that all believers ought to be "blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish" (Philippians 2:15). Peter expresses a similar idea in his writing (1 Peter 3:13–17).

Psalm 7:1–5 sets the stage for the rest of the psalm. It reveals David's confidence in God to save him from his enemies. He believes he deserves defeat only if he has done wrong, such as by cheating or stealing. The rest of the psalm asks God to judge him according to his righteousness and his enemies according to their evil deeds. This psalm is described using an obscure term which probably refers to something musical. No information is given about Cush, or what he said.

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.

This psalm was written by David. He prays to the Lord, the righteous Judge of the universe, to judge his wicked enemies. David may have written this psalm when he was being pursued by Saul's forces (1 Samuel 24:1–2). Themes expressed by David in 1 Samuel chapter 24 resemble those found in Psalm 7. The accusations he responds to may have come from Cush, mentioned in the psalm's title.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.