God is Our Refuge (Psalm 7)

Introduction

The old saying is, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” So words are not that big of a deal since they will never hurt us, right? (Pause)…

Wrong!!! Words are important. They have the power to build up, encourage, and bring life. Or they have the power to tear down, discourage, and even destroy. Just read through the book of Proverbs and you will see this theme drawn out. 

We then should be careful with the use of our words, in what we say to and about one another. But what happens when others begin to use words against us? Words sharpened to cut at us and through us? What happens when the words are filled with lies that are meant to discredit us and bring us to the brink of despair? 

Do we merely ignore the words, thinking it's just words, it is no big deal? There are those who suffer far worse, certainly I can handle a few harsh and cruel words? Or on the opposite end of the spectrum, do we respond to these harsh and lying words with harsh words of our own? Or do we take it even further? 

Neither of these ways are the ways of Christ. Just consider the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount:

Matthew 5:11 ESV

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

This verse shows us that the utters of all kinds of evil words against us are put on equal ground with being persecuted. That both are blessed when this comes on account of Christ. Therefore we should not think words aren’t that big a deal. They are hard. Yet, to be blessed on account of Christ is not a call for us then to defend ourselves. It is not a call to hurl back an assault of equal words or worse. So what then? How should we respond to affliction that comes through false accusation, from the sword of the tongue? 

The answer comes in Psalm 7, our passage for today. Please then take out your copy of the Bible and turn with me to Psalm 7. Psalm 7. Feel free to use your table of contents to find it. Or if you do not have a Bible, please grab that Red Bible in your seat and open it to Psalm 7 which can be found on page #530. 

Philipp Melanchton wrote [1],

“It is difficult for the wise to endure accusations ... This psalm is a useful teaching and a sweet consolation to a good mind, which is often opposed by unjust hatreds, false suspicions and invented accusations, as often occurs.”

Let us then hear the words of the LORD from Psalm 7… 

Main Idea: Affliction comes, but so does God’s righteous judgment. Therefore, let us repent of our own evil and find refuge in God alone. 

Seek Refuge in God

Find Vindication in God

Behold God’s Righteous Judgment

Praise be to God

Point #1: Seek Refuge in God

Verse 1. It begins with David writing, “O LORD my God, in you do I take refuge.” 

We have here the covenant name of the LORD, YHWH. Which means I AM. This is the name God gives of himself to Moses at the burning bush back in Exodus 3. It is this covenant name that David is calling out to. But he doesn’t stop there. David further clarifies, the Covenant God of YHWH is his God. That this is the God he trusts and takes refuge in. 

What is David Israel’s king seeking refuge from though? Look with me at the superscript of Psalm 7. The superscript being the italicized text next to the big 7. We read there: A Shiggaion of David which he sang to the Lord concerning the words of Cush, a Benjaminite. 

While we do not know who this Cush is other than belonging to the tribe of Benjamin nor of his exact words, we are able to understand that David’s affliction here in Psalm 7 has to do with these words and that they are causing him great affliction. 

This allows us to possibly tie this to an event back in 2 Samuel 16. In this event, another Benjaminite was taunting David. He was falsely accusing him of having shed the blood of Saul and stolen the throne from him in a wrong and shameful manner. And all this being in the midst of David still in the midst of fleeing from his Son Absalom, which has been the case from Psalm 3 until now in Psalm 7. 

Therefore, it is possible that Cush and this other Benjaminite, Shimei, in 2 Samuel 16, are working together to make false accusations against David. Or Psalm 7 is in close comparison to that of 2 Samuel 16. 

Either way, we are able to grasp more of what leads David to the point of this Shiggaion. Shiggaion is a rare term used in the Bible. In fact it is used twice. Here and Habakkuk 3:1. Both follow a rapid change of rhythm within a prayer. Some definitions have it defined along the lines of a prayer of ecstasy, a prayer of extreme grief. 

Grief that is caused by these false accusations and attempts to destroy David. This is why David turns to seek refuge in the LORD. A refuge that is his only hope. For unless the Lord saves him, he will be destroyed by his enemies. Look with me at the second half of verse 1(b)-2…

David’s enemies seek to tear him apart just like a fierce lion would tear apart its prey. Shredding his flesh from his bones. Nothing but pieces left of him. If God does not save David, if he does not deliver him, then there is no hope. For as Christopher Ash in his new Psalms Commentary states [2],

“If there is no refuge in the Lord for the King, there is no safe place on earth.”

But there is refuge in the LORD. A refuge that David now seeks by faith! A refuge that will be a shield to him and protect him. And a refuge that will save and deliver him. 

This same and very real and trustworthy refuge that David has found in YHWH, is a refuge that is also available for us. A refuge that will give us shelter and protection.

However, we should not misunderstand what the promise of this refuge is. The promise of a refuge, a shield, a shelter is not the promise that affliction from outside forces will not come. It is the promise to have something to fight those forces with. 

Consider the building of a tornado shelter. You don’t build it in hopes to keep the tornadoes away from you, and to never come. You build a tornado shelter to have as safe a shelter ready when the tornadoes come. 

For all who identify with Christ, the assaults of reviling and persecution will come. Whether from the uttering of all kinds of evil against us or the slaughtering of our bodies. But as this reviling and persecution come, we are those who are filled with a great hope. A hope that God is our refuge. That he is our shield and will bring us through the affliction, even if to be brought through is death itself and to enter eternal glory where pain and sorrow are no more. 

Then let us call out to our God and find refuge even now in him. Trusting in our good and Sovereign LORD who is over it all. Or as Charles Spurgeon put it [3],

“It is never right to distrust God, and never vain to trust him.” 

So let us trust him as our good and mighty refuge that will guard us along the way. 

Point #2: Find Vindication in God

False words have run wild to try and destroy David, both in his own mind and regarding his reputation. The temptation would be for David to attempt to vindicate himself against his enemies. But that is not at all what he does. 

In the midst of being falsely accused, David prays and then prays some more. He moves from a prayer of seeking refuge in God to seeking to find his vindication in God. Verses 3-4…

This section starts similarly to verses 1-2, O LORD my God. But here he moves to three if-then clauses as he seeks to draw out his innocence before God. David asks the LORD, if I have done this, if there is wrong in my hands, if I have repaid my friend with evil or plundered my enemy without cause.

These three if clauses are then put with an implied then clause there in verse 5…

David invites God to examine him and test him. If he is guilty of wrongdoing. If he is guilty of repaying friend or foe with evil, then let judgment fall upon him by his enemy prevailing. By David’s glory being taken away. 

Now, this is a bold prayer. A prayer that none should be quick to pray for themselves. For if there is wrong in our hands, if there is a repaying friend or foe with evil, then we pray judgment and a curse upon ourselves. 

Yet it is a prayer that David is able to pray in having examined himself and already endured God’s discipline and rebuke on other matters. David knows he is not one who has been without sin. He has acknowledged his sin in fact. But here, on the grounds of the accusations against him, David is boldly able to say to God, none of this is true. Therefore O God, vindicate me before my enemies. 

Vindicate me, since I twice spared Saul’s life, though he had fallen into my hands. First in the cave (1 Sam. 24).  Then in the camp when Saul lay asleep (1 Sam. 26). And these are just two of many others where David would further be proven innocent in these matters. 

As he presses further into the refuge of the LORD, David trusts the LORD to bring about his vindication himself. David will not oppose or threaten his opponents. He will leave it to the Almighty to vindicate, to clear his name before the people. And to judge his opponents. 

That’s why in verse 6, we see David begin to call upon the LORD to act to vindicate David and bring his judgment as has been appointed. Verse 6…

Here David pleads for God to arise and to awaken. Almost as if David thinks that God has been asleep and sitting passively by while this evil takes place. So does God actually sleep? To borrow from one of the books my wife and I use with our kids, 

“Here is a big truth on which you can depend: God never sleeps, and His power never ends.”

David then uses this language not because he thinks that the LORD is asleep or passive, but urging him to hurry and bring about his appointed judgment. A judgment that will vindicate him against his enemies. And bring not only vindication to David himself, but for every righteous one. We see this as David begins to not only call God to act against his enemies, but against the peoples of the world. Those from every tongue and tribe and nation. Verse 7…

David knows that the LORD is the judge of all peoples of the world. All peoples will stand before the LORD as their final judge on the day of judgment. A day that David is pleading to come to bring about the righteousness of God! To bring about God’s vindication against the righteous. And to right every wrong. 

This is David’s hope. He hopes in God’s coming righteous judgment to vindicate him. He needs not take these matters then into his own hands, but leave them in the hands of the LORD. 

Beloved, in the midst of being assaulted, whether physically or by words, whether by those inside the church or outside the church, we need not think we have a right or need to vindicate ourselves against slander and lies. 

There might be situations where a confrontation is needed. But more often than not, that is not needed. And certainly not at first. Instead, we must first and foremost turn to find refuge in the LORD and trust his coming judgment that will bring about vindication for the righteous! 

We must press against the temptation to speak up and seek to vindicate ourselves before others. The temptation to push back these claims and make sure that we are rightly heard. 

This is especially important for any man serving as an elder or aspiring to the office of elder. For you will face unique challenges and often find yourself under the critique, judgment of others who will even malign you and falsely accuse you of your actions or intentions. Do not seek to justify yourself. Instead, keep your head down, keep your eye on the plowing before you as you sow the seeds of the gospel and trust the Lord. For the heart of an elder will be tested in these moments. And the true heart of an elder will be one that finds its refuge and vindication in God while trusting in God’s righteous judgment.

And for the rest of you, look at the examples being set before you, and Lord willing you have an example then to follow. 

Point #3: Behold God’s Righteous Judgment

For us to behold God’s righteous judgment, let's look at verses 8-11…

God is a God who tests hearts and minds. He needs no one to reveal what is in our hearts and minds. He himself knows. And will then judge each one of us according to what he finds. 

In David’s case, he pleads his righteousness and integrity. Saying that God is his shield and saves the upright in heart. 

By no means here is David saying he is without any blot of sin or guilt ever. David has and will continue to acknowledge his sin. Even here in Psalm 7, he has boldly asked the LORD to further examine him and judge him accordingly. 

Therefore the righteousness that David is appealing to is not a righteousness of his own. But a righteousness that comes to those who come and find refuge in God and his Anointed King. The King who has been set on God’s holy hill in Zion. The King who has been begotten and the nations given to him as his heritage. The King who David looked forward to his coming. The King who would sit on David’s throne after him and sit there forever. A King who has now come in Jesus! David’s Son. 

This righteousness comes to those who come by faith and find refuge in God alone as their righteousness. 

And these righteous ones who come by faith will be established through judgment. For as God looks at those who have been declared righteous by their faith in Jesus, he sees not sinners, but the righteousness of his Son. 

Christian, if you have rightly come to Jesus by faith, then this righteousness has already been given to you. By faith, you have already been declared righteous. A righteousness that you can rest in because of Jesus! 

And therefore because of your righteousness then, we should be able to follow in the pattern of David, and even the better pattern of Christ. That we are to be those who walk in integrity in our dealings with others. To not plunder even our enemies without cause or to repay a friend with evil. Because of the righteousness we have in Christ, we are to be those who walk accordingly by the Spirit. 

All of this coming because of God’s grace. His grace to save us. And his grace to continue to work in us. 

However, for those who reject this grace, who continue to plunder their enemies and repay friends with evil, God’s indignation burns against them. And his judgment will come swiftly. Verses 12-13…

Failure to repent will result in God’s indignation, that is his curse, his wrath, coming upon them as the arrow of an archer whizzing through the sky. It will come upon them with a deadly blow. 

And it will be just. For what does God require? But that people humble themselves and return to him. But those who his indignation will come against are those who failed to repent. Whose wickedness has now returned on their own heads. Verses 14-16….

The very schemes of those who stand opposed against God, those who have raged against him and his anointed King and people, will be turned upside down. For the schemes they plotted will be carried out against themselves. The raging they made, will now fall against them (Ps. 2). 

Call sinners to repent before God’s indignation finds them!

Point #4: Praise be to God

While God’s indignation burns against the wicked and the unrepentant, seeing God’s righteous judgment is to cause Christians to give thanks to God and praise him. Verse 17… 

Our hearts can move from deep grief to praise as we behold God’s righteous judgment that comes to establish the righteous and bring an end to the wicked. Seeing how God vindicates his people and any wrongs done against them. Allowing those previously slandered to now sing. 

Charles Spurgeon captures this thought well as he writes [5]:

“Praise is the occupation of the godly, their eternal work, and their present pleasure. Singing is the fitting embodiment for praise, and therefore do the saints make melody before the Lord Most High. The slandered one is now a singer: his harp was unstrung for a very little season, and now we leave him sweeping its harmonious chords, and flying on their music to the third heaven of adoring praise.”

So Christian, let us then rejoice and sing praise to the Almighty! The righteous judge who will soon gather the peoples before him and carry out his perfect and righteous judgment, bringing an end to all evil. Who will bring justice to truly reign forever.

Let’s pray…

Endnotes

Phillip Melanchton. Comments on the Psalms quoted in Psalms Commentary by Christopher Ash. (Crossway: Wheaton, IL, 2024) 74. 

Christopher Ash, The Psalms: A Christ-Centered Commentary. (Crossway: Wheaton, IL, 2024) 78. 

C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David: Psalms 1-26, vol. 1 (London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers, n.d.), 67.

Amy Gannett. Does God Sleep? (B.H. Kids: Nashville, TN, 2022)

C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David: Psalms 1-26, vol. 1 (London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers, n.d.), 71.

Scripture Reading & Prayer

Romans 12:14–21 ESV

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.