Psalm 7:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: if I have repaid my friend with evil or plundered my enemy without cause,

NIV: if I have repaid my ally with evil or without cause have robbed my foe--

NASB: If I have done evil to my friend, Or have plundered my enemy for no reason,

CSB: if I have done harm to one at peace with me or have plundered my adversary without cause,

NLT: if I have betrayed a friend or plundered my enemy without cause,

KJV: If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)

NKJV: If I have repaid evil to him who was at peace with me, Or have plundered my enemy without cause,

David's third "if" statement (Psalm 7:3) is in this verse. He writes: "if I have repaid my friend with evil or plundered my enemy without cause." Apparently, David's enemies had accused him of both treacherous actions. Perhaps those were "the words of Cush" mentioned earlier (Psalm 7:1). He knew those claims were false. This section (Psalm 7:3–5) is a declaration of David's innocence and his assurance that there is no truth in these attacks.

Not only was David innocent of harming a friend or taking advantage of an enemy, he often did the opposite. He could have taken revenge on Saul when he had the opportunity, but David refused to do so. First Samuel 24 recalls a time Saul entered a cave where David and his men were hiding. David's men tried to talk David into taking advantage of Saul. They even suggested that the Lord had given Saul into David's hand (1 Samuel 24:4). But David merely cut off a corner of Saul's robe because he viewed Saul as the Lord's anointed (1 Samuel 24:5–6). He then showed this to Saul, as proof that he had no intentions of seeking Saul's life (1 Samuel 24:11).

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.