Psalms 7-8

Psalms 7-8

Chapter 7: God is Angry with the Wicked

Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the Lord, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite.

“Shiggaion - From the verb shagah, "to reel about through drink."  The plural form, shigionoth, is found in Habakkuk 3:1. The word denotes a lyrical poem composed under strong mental emotion; a song of impassioned imagination accompanied with suitable music; aka a dithyrambicode.”

The New King James version translates the Hebrew word “Shiggaion” as meditation.  The specific occasion is not easily connected with an event recorded in the historical books of the Old Testament; it may be a reference to either Shimei’s accusations against David in 2 Samuel 16:5 or to Saul’s slanders against David. More likely this Cush, a Benjaminite was simply another partisan of Saul against David.

                “O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me” (Psalms 7:1)

When David was under attack from Cush the Benjamite, the only one he could trust was God. No one else was around (whom he could trust). But with the trust in God, was all he needed. David knew that he was not perfect, but he was asking deliverance from what he believed to be worse… his enemies.

                “God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day” (Psalms 7:11)

                David knew that God was a JUST GOD. He would judge accordingly. Those who do wickedness in the eyes of the Lord have the wrath and anger of God upon them.

Chapter 8: What is Man? Nothing!

To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David.

“Gittith – A Stringed Instrument of music” 

“O Lord our God, how excellent is thy name in all the earth…” (Psalms 8:1)

David understand how excellent the Lord really is, and how He is known throughout all the world. David then tells God that when he considers the creations of the world and the stars, and moon… he asks…

“What is man…” (Psalms 8:4). David is trying to put man in contrast with the Lord, it amazes David that we were given such great responsibility to have dominion over His creations. He sort of asks, what is man? When compared to God? The answer is that, YES we were created in His image, but we are still beneath him and his Excellency.