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Exodus & Kingdom: Nation formed, law given, kingdom rises and falls

Psalms

Chapter 7

The Righteous Vindicated by God

The psalmist puts his trust in God to save him from persecutors, asking not to be torn apart like a lion with none to deliver. He appeals to God's judgment, asking to be judged according to his righteousness and integrity, having not rewarded evil to those at peace with him. He calls upon God to judge the people and end the wickedness of the wicked, while establishing the just. The psalmist's enemies prepare weapons against him, but he affirms that his defence is of God and that God judges the righteous while being angry with the wicked daily, as the wicked's own mischief and falsehood fall upon their heads.

Trust in God's judgmentInnocence and righteousnessGod's defenceWickedness backfires

1O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:

2Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.

3O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;

4If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)

5Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.

6Arise, 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.

7So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.

8The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.

9Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.

10My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.

11God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.

12If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.

13He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.

14Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.

15He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.

16His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.

17I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.

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