Psalm 7 Devotional

Leaving the Verdict With God

“God is a righteous judge and a God who feels indignation each day.”Psalm 7:11 (BSB)

David writes Psalm 7 under accusation, concerning the words of a man named Cush, a Benjamite (7:1). He runs first to the LORD for refuge. Then he does something bold: he invites God to examine him. If he has done this wrong, if he has repaid a friend with evil, let his enemy trample him (7:3-5). He is not claiming to be sinless in every way. He is claiming innocence of this charge, and asking the God who examines heart and mind to judge (7:9).

God judges with perfect righteousness and is never indifferent to evil (7:11). For those who refuse to turn back, he readies his weapons (7:12-13). Yet much of the judgment here is simply evil coming home. The wicked man digs a pit and falls into it himself (7:15-16). David leaves the outcome with God, and that frees him to end in thanks rather than bitterness (7:17). When you are wrongly accused, you do not have to win the verdict yourself. God sees, and his judgment can be trusted.

To think about: Is there an accusation or wrong you keep trying to settle yourself, and what would it look like to leave it with the righteous Judge?