My Bible study notes for Wednesday night, March 19th. Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon. They are provided as an outline each week for our Tabernacle Church family. You can find Sermon Notes, Family Devotional Guides, Prayer List, and other resources at our Church Website.
Psalm 7:1-17
This psalm is basically a plea for divine vindication in the light of the oppressor’s allegations and actions. David’s confidence in the divine Judge is the backbone of Psalm 7 (cf. Abraham in Gen. 18:25). As this truth grips him more and more, he will move from a tense anxiety to a transcendent assurance. This psalm follows David through three progressively calming stages of expression in response to the painfully false accusations that were being hurled against him[1]
This is another individual lament from David. The title refers to an otherwise unknown incident in his life when a man of Benjamin (the tribe of Saul) slandered David. The psalm provides a vehicle by which those unfairly criticized and persecuted may call to God for help.[2]
David’s Prayer – vv. 1-5
Save me
- He had confidence in who God was
- Power, Providence
Search me
- “if” three times
- Willing to confess
- Receive the discipline HE deserved
- OUR SIN… blame our sin on everyone else
David’s Judge – vv. 6-9
Deal with my enemies
- Arise, lift yourself up, awake for me
- God is the righteous judge
- He is just and right
- Integrity. Not perfection, but the motives of our heart.
- God sees the hearts of man
David’s Shield – vv. 10-16
God protects and saves
- He is a righteous judge
God judges and punishes
- Divine Warrior. Sword, bow, arrow
- Notice their actions and results
- Mark 7:21-22. Gives birth and grows
- Proverbs 26:27
- OUT OF THE HEART
David’s Praise – v. 17
HE IS WORTHY
- Give Him thanks
- Praise His name
[1] John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2005), Ps 7:1–17.
[2] Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 947.