Psalm 7, pt. 1
Imprecatory Prayers

This Psalm belongs to a group of prayers in which David sought God’s help against his enemies. David stood in a different place than believers in the New Testament who are urged to love their enemies and pray for those who treat them poorly, especially for the gospel’s sake.

Some have thought that such prayers as David prayed here have no place in the Christian’s arsenal but I remind you that we are under no such restrictions with our real enemies, “principalities and powers…the rulers of the darkness of this world.” Militant prayers are perfectly appropriate here for the one armed in the Armor of God, (Eph 6:18).

The believer may need to modify the prayer to fit his similar but different circumstance but make no mistake, Imprecatory Prayers in the battle we face are perfectly appropriate.

Ps 7:1-17
1 O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:

Those humans who persecute the Christian are in a unique position. The believer cannot attack them because he is bound to be submissive to the hand of God. Since the Lord has allowed this persecution by not preserving His servant, the godly person must appeal to God for deliverance.

He must endure whatever comes as from the hand of God, for sure, but that does not mean that he passively waits without objection. He is perfectly free to cry out for help, and he should.

Additionally, as we referenced above, the believer is under no such restrictions with the spiritual enemies he faces.

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

The danger must be understood. Too often believers do not take into consideration the possible danger that they are in. If the enemy be allowed to prevail he will utterly destroy the life of the believer, starting with his faith and his testimony. Such should be the greatest fear of the saint.

Enemies of the Faith, whether human or spiritual, are merciless destroyers. No ‘win’ on the battle field is sufficient for them until the believer is completely disabled as a warrior for the Kingdom of God.

One cannot take the position, “this, too, shall pass,” with ravaging wolves. Deliverance, the help of God, is a pressing and a desperate need and the believer must see it as such.

3 O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;
4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)
5 Let 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.

Here we have some insight into the problem. David says, ‘if I have done this,’ meaning ‘if I have done this to anyone (this that about which I am being accused)’. It appears that he was being wrongly accused of something for which the consequences, if the thing is proven true, would be devastating. There is little doubt that he was accused of being a traitor while on the run from Saul. No doubt these lies were circulated to undermine his reputation with those in Saul’s army who had tremendous respect for David.

What has been done to him is evil when David had no animosity at all to the person, in fact he had put himself at risk to deliver this enemy (when David thought he was a friend). The enemy has no cause to be so aggressive toward him (that is no reasonable cause – re. Saul). David has done nothing to him, poses no threat, and wishes him only good.

6 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.

Though David felt restrained from attacking Saul and though he passed on two opportunities to kill him, he felt safe in appealing to God for deliverance. This is the spot believers find themselves sometimes when
their ‘enemy’ is is one who also confesses the Faith. Appealing for help from God when falsely accused is entirely appropriate.

David’s appeal for God to ‘awake’ does not suggest that He sleeps. It is an appeal for Him to stir Himself, show Himself ‘awake,’ to David’s trouble, to move in judgment on the wrong that is being done.

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

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

He envisioned a revival of Faith as the people who were standing helplessly by as David was attacked saw the activity of God on his behalf. They would be, he thought, spiritually encouraged by seeing righteousness prevail and false accusations condemned and judged by God.

— April 6, 2020