Psalm 7:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Arise, O LORD, in your anger; lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies; awake for me; you have appointed a judgment.

NIV: Arise, LORD, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice.

NASB: Arise, Lord, in Your anger; Raise Yourself against the rage of my enemies, And stir Yourself for me; You have ordered judgment.

CSB: Rise up, Lord, in your anger; lift yourself up against the fury of my adversaries; awake for me; you have ordained a judgment.

NLT: Arise, O Lord, in anger! Stand up against the fury of my enemies! Wake up, my God, and bring justice!

KJV: Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.

NKJV: Arise, O Lord, in Your anger; Lift Yourself up because of the rage of my enemies; Rise up for me to the judgment You have commanded!

In this verse, David urges God to actively defend him against his furious enemies (Psalm 7:1–2). They may have been physically threatening him, as well as being those who have falsely accused David of various crimes (Psalm 7:3–5). Trusting God to make things right, David asks for divine judgment to come on those who have slandered him. David refers to the Lord as having anger . Although God is loving and loves even sinners, He does not love sin; He punishes those who sin and fail to repent. Romans 1:18 affirms: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men." David also notes that God has appointed a judgment. Although God may judge a person's sin today, He will render a final judgment of everyone on an appointed day by His Son Jesus (Acts 17:31).

David trusted God to make matters right. Romans 12:17 tells us not to take revenge on our enemies: "Repay no one evil for evil." Verse 19 issues a similar command: "Beloved, never avenge yourselves" (Romans 12:19). It also tells us to "leave it to the wrath of God," and explains, "for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'"

Psalm 7:6–11 follows the section in which David asked the Lord to vindicate him. This seems to have been a response to slander. Here, he asks God, the righteous Judge, to bring consequences to his wicked enemies. David expresses faith that God sees and is angered by sin and that the Lord serves as David's Protector.

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.