Psalm 7:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Let the assembly of the peoples be gathered about you; over it return on high.

NIV: Let the assembled peoples gather around you, while you sit enthroned over them on high.

NASB: Let the assembly of the peoples encompass You, And return on high over it.

CSB: Let the assembly of peoples gather around you; take your seat on high over it.

NLT: Gather the nations before you. Rule over them from on high.

KJV: So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.

NKJV: So the congregation of the peoples shall surround You; For their sakes, therefore, return on high.

David continues to pray that God would bring judgment to enemies who have slandered him, or attacked him (Psalm 7:3–5). David knows he is innocent. So, he asks the Lord to take over judgment and respond to these lying attackers (Psalm 7:6). This verse evokes the image of a courtroom with a large crowd in attendance.

Other passages also refer to God as Victor and Lawgiver (Psalm 68:18; Isaiah 2:2–4). Revelation 20:11–15 is perhaps the most vivid passage portraying God as the supreme Judge. It depicts God seated on a white throne with people from every period of history gathered before Him. The scene takes place after Christ's 1,000–year reign on earth and Satan's final rebellion. Satan is cast into the lake of fire, where he will be joined by all the unbelievers of history. God will judge those who stand at the Great White Throne Judgment. First, books will be opened that provide evidence of their sinning, and then the book of life will be opened, and whoever's name is not written in it will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:12–15; 21:27).

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.

Accessed 5/2/2024 8:03:33 PM