Recently I read (for the second time) a Book about the Psalms of David. Yes, the little volume is THAT interesting! It is entitled “The Psalms of David as Seen Through his Life.” Essentially the author examines the “superscripts” of each Psalm, each Davidic Psalm, and seeks “to place” it in chronological order during David’s early life, during his exile, his monarchy, the time of his backsliding, then old age, and time of his death.”

A creative approach, indeed!

I have a desire to share with you an example of such a Psalm. Thus, Psalm 7 will be our Text the next (approximately) three weeks. It is self-described as “the Psalm which he sang unto the Lord, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite.” This is the Psalm’s exact “title,” according to the King James Version. It is called a “superscript” because it is written “above” (in Latin “super”) the Psalm’s first verse.

One writer calls this “the Psalm of the slandered saint.” I find that a captivating description. We shall, Lord willing, examine the chapter, with this emphasis in mind.

Another says of the Psalm, summarizing it, “Confidence in the Lord’s Deliverance!”

Even this thought well fits the Psalm, “How to respond when falsely accused.”

I found this précis as well. “The first five verses and the last six share the story of an innocent man, slandered, persecuted, and pursued with hatred.” Then in the Psalm’s middle … “Personified Israel asks for justice at God’s hands, and begs Him to summon all nations to a great final judgment.”

Wow!

And the Psalm’s identification with “Cush the Benjamite,” whom we shall soon study in more detail, suggests it was written during the dark days of David’s life when he was being threatened by King Saul. Written, in other words, during the time of his “exile.” In fact, Psalm 7 is one of eight passages (chapters) traditionally associated with David’s flight from the wrath of King Saul. The other seven are: Psalm 34, Psalm 52, Psalm 54, Psalm 56, Psalm 57, Psalms 59 and Psalms 142.

But the best way to study a Psalm (any Text of Scripture) is to enjoy it verse by verse.

And that’s what we shall do, the Lord willing, with Psalm 7.

Beginning tomorrow morning.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell