READ: Ps. 7:1–18: … Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, And according to my integrity within me … I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness …
David speaks of the evil done to him by a certain Cush. Cush is from the tribe of Benjamin, like Saul, his great adversary, Shimei who cursed him (2 Sam. 16:7–8), and a certain Sheba who later led a revolt against him (2 Sam. 20:1–2). In Jacob’s final words to his sons in Gen. 49, Benjamin is called a ravenous wolf.
Apparently Cush accuses David of having done injustice by repaying good with evil. David cannot shrug off such slander and proceed with the order of the day. David is the anointed of the LORD; it concerns his authority, which he has received directly from the LORD. His administration of justice is also no longer above reproach. His kingship is at stake.
Another issue is that public slander is difficult to combat. It can easily cause the matter to escalate further, with all the consequences for David’s kingship (vv.3–4).
David takes the right path: he brings it before the LORD. The LORD sees what is in the heart and knows perfectly what has been said and done. He judges the peoples (v.9) and is a righteous Judge (v.12).
David says of himself in his prayer that he is innocent and upright (v. 9). Rom. 3:10 says, “There is none righteous, no, not one.” But here David is speaking of the unjust accusation; he does not say that he is perfect. Nor does he pronounce judgment on the other party, but leaves this in the hands of the LORD, who judges in perfect righteousness.
That David does not ask mercy for Cush has to do with the fact that his kingship, and with it the honour of God Himself, is being attacked. In verses 10–18 David testifies of his great trust in the LORD. He tests hearts and minds. He judges each person according to his deeds and thoughts. No one will escape His judgment. He who does evil therefore digs his own pit. This thought is reason for David to praise the LORD for His righteousness.
What slander is there against the church today?
Singing: Ps. 7:3,5