Psalm 7 is a shiggaion. Yes, I wondered about that word, too. It is derived from the word that means either to err or to wonder. It can also mean wild or ecstatic. A shiggaion is a highly emotional poem meant to stir up the emotions. Think of David singing this psalm. Here is the story behind it.
King Saul has been jealous of David since Samuel declared he would replace Saul as king. So, even though David has been a part of the king's household and best friends with Jonathan, the king's son, Saul wants to kill David, thwarting God's plan for both of their lives. David was not only mighty in the killing of Goliath, but has outnumbered the king in his conquests ever since. So the story of the shiggaion unfolds from the day that David and his strongmen are in a cave in En-gedi when Saul, who has been told where David is, arrives with three thousand men to kill him. Certainly not a fair man-a-man fight! Alas, Saul has to go to the restroom, and turns into the very cave where David and his men are living. The men are ecstatic! They urge David to kill Saul and take the throne today! David sneaks up on Saul....get the picture, because Saul is on the toilet, so to speak.....and, sword in hand, David cuts off a piece of Saul's robe then creeps back to his men. Incredulous, David's mighty men are nonplussed that he comes back with a bit of royal apparel instead of the head of the man in the head. David's reaction: Guilt. Guilt that he even cut off a piece of the robe of the man God had appointed as king.
So, David runs out of the cave after Saul. Listen to what he calls out to his king: "My lord, the king!" When Saul looked back, David bowed his face to the ground and honored him. David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to the words of those who say 'David seeks to do you harm'? This very day you have seen how the Lord gave you into my hand in the cave; and some urged me to kill you, but I spared you....See, my father, see the corner of your cloak in my hand; for by the fact that I cut off the corner of your cloak and did not kill you, you may know for certain that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you though you are hunting me to take my life. May the Lord judge between me and you! May the Lord avenge me on you, but my hand shall not be against you....Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A single flea? May the Lord therefore be judge, and give sentence between you and me. May He see to it , and plead my cause and vindicate me against you."
I am amazed by the power of what David said to King Saul. So was Saul. He limped away with his three thousand men carrying home the affirmation that David was indeed the "better man" for having spared his life. Saul's goose was cooked because David got out of the way and let God deal directly with his enemy. That is scary.....for Saul. And the king knew it. David had seen the King squatting in a cave at a most vulnerable moment and had done the honorable thing. How do you think Saul told his troops about that? They knew he had gone to the cave to "relieve himself" and come out a bit short of a robe with his enemy calling after him then falling prostrate in honor of the king's position. Once again David had humiliated Saul. That might have been worse than death, for this young shepherd-turned-warrior had a call on his life that King Saul could not fight. It is the ultimate vanity to kick against what God has planned.
The call on your own life will save you from the enemy, too. Called to be a child of God, protected with the shield of favor. That is why you do not have to exact revenge. Get out of the way because God knows everything, including hearts, and His judgments are right. As Jonathan Edwards said, it is a dangerous thing to fall into the hands of an angry God, and injustice makes Him angry.
King Saul has been jealous of David since Samuel declared he would replace Saul as king. So, even though David has been a part of the king's household and best friends with Jonathan, the king's son, Saul wants to kill David, thwarting God's plan for both of their lives. David was not only mighty in the killing of Goliath, but has outnumbered the king in his conquests ever since. So the story of the shiggaion unfolds from the day that David and his strongmen are in a cave in En-gedi when Saul, who has been told where David is, arrives with three thousand men to kill him. Certainly not a fair man-a-man fight! Alas, Saul has to go to the restroom, and turns into the very cave where David and his men are living. The men are ecstatic! They urge David to kill Saul and take the throne today! David sneaks up on Saul....get the picture, because Saul is on the toilet, so to speak.....and, sword in hand, David cuts off a piece of Saul's robe then creeps back to his men. Incredulous, David's mighty men are nonplussed that he comes back with a bit of royal apparel instead of the head of the man in the head. David's reaction: Guilt. Guilt that he even cut off a piece of the robe of the man God had appointed as king.
So, David runs out of the cave after Saul. Listen to what he calls out to his king: "My lord, the king!" When Saul looked back, David bowed his face to the ground and honored him. David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to the words of those who say 'David seeks to do you harm'? This very day you have seen how the Lord gave you into my hand in the cave; and some urged me to kill you, but I spared you....See, my father, see the corner of your cloak in my hand; for by the fact that I cut off the corner of your cloak and did not kill you, you may know for certain that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you though you are hunting me to take my life. May the Lord judge between me and you! May the Lord avenge me on you, but my hand shall not be against you....Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A single flea? May the Lord therefore be judge, and give sentence between you and me. May He see to it , and plead my cause and vindicate me against you."
I am amazed by the power of what David said to King Saul. So was Saul. He limped away with his three thousand men carrying home the affirmation that David was indeed the "better man" for having spared his life. Saul's goose was cooked because David got out of the way and let God deal directly with his enemy. That is scary.....for Saul. And the king knew it. David had seen the King squatting in a cave at a most vulnerable moment and had done the honorable thing. How do you think Saul told his troops about that? They knew he had gone to the cave to "relieve himself" and come out a bit short of a robe with his enemy calling after him then falling prostrate in honor of the king's position. Once again David had humiliated Saul. That might have been worse than death, for this young shepherd-turned-warrior had a call on his life that King Saul could not fight. It is the ultimate vanity to kick against what God has planned.
The call on your own life will save you from the enemy, too. Called to be a child of God, protected with the shield of favor. That is why you do not have to exact revenge. Get out of the way because God knows everything, including hearts, and His judgments are right. As Jonathan Edwards said, it is a dangerous thing to fall into the hands of an angry God, and injustice makes Him angry.
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