A shiggaion of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush, a Benjamite.
1Lord my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me,
2or they will tear me apart like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.
3Lord my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands—
4if I have repaid my ally with evil or without cause have robbed my foe—
5then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground
and make me sleep in the dust. c
6Arise, Lord, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies.
Awake, my God; decree justice.
7Let the assembled peoples gather around you, while you sit enthroned over them on high.
8Let the Lord judge the peoples. Vindicate me, Lord, according to my righteousness,
according to my integrity, O Most High.
9Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure—
you, the righteous God who probes minds and hearts.
10My shield d is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.
11God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day.
12If he does not relent, he e will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow.
13He has prepared his deadly weapons; he makes ready his flaming arrows.
14Whoever is pregnant with evil conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment.
15Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit they have made.
16The trouble they cause recoils on them; their violence comes down on their own heads.
17I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.
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Thoughts: Here the writer, inspired by the Holy Spirit, asks for God to judge (8,11). Often people recoil from the idea of God as judge. But here we are reminded that we are accountable to our Maker. He designed us with directions, and if we do not follow them, that does not mean all creation is bent to our will (though in our pride we may think we bend the universe).
This is not just a psalm asking God to take the writer's side. Rather it is for God to bring His righteousness to the earth. When that happens those who do evil will weaken. When God's rule comes to earth- when He judges things- those who do evil will have their own evil come back to not just haunt but hurt them. The writer seeks to do God's will, and then has confidence that God will protect him as a shield protects from arrows- as armor protects from bullets. He asks for God's righteousness to show itself in this life. He is in effect, praying for judgment. This is almost like a person falsely accused wanting to go before a fair judge who will vindicate them.
Thanksgiving for God's goodness is the last word. God is not a morally fickle- half upright being. Rather He is holy and steadily faithful in that holiness. That God is both righteous and cares about our behavior (and our following His ways) are two very important themes found in the Bible. It is not something we should be afraid of if we follow Him. Rather, His goodness, holiness and power are things that encourage those who follow Him and are sometimes harassed by those who do not.
Prayer: Thank you God that we can count on your goodness. Help me to be encouraged to follow in your ways.
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