Psalms

Psalms 7: God judges with righteousness

Begin in prayer

Before we bring any accusation before God, let us remember that He searches our hearts too. Ask Him to lead us into honest repentance and refuge in Jesus.

“Don’t keep talking so exceedingly proudly. Don’t let arrogance come out of your mouth, For Yahweh is a God of knowledge. By him actions are weighed.

1 Samuel 2:3

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that God knows every heart and judges righteously. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David sings this prayer concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite, asking the LORD to rescue him from his pursuers. He submits the accusation against him to God's judgment and accepts guilt if he has done the wrong described. God searches minds and hearts, so David asks Him to establish the righteous and end wickedness. The warning is severe for anyone who refuses to relent, because God's judgment is prepared. Evil also falls back on its maker, and David ends by praising the LORD for His righteousness.

As you read Psalms 7, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God judges righteously, searches every heart, and saves those who take refuge in Him.

An accusation has brought David before the Judge who knows the whole truth. His claim of innocence concerns the wrong described, rather than a claim that he has never sinned. He is willing for God to judge him if that charge is true. The pursuers are compared to a lion, showing the danger from which he needs rescue. God's searching of hearts reaches deeper than the evidence human judges can see. His prepared weapons warn that refusal to repent has a deadly end. The wicked man's pit becomes his own trap, showing how God brings evil back on its maker. David can give thanks because the verdict belongs to the righteous LORD.

How does Psalm 7 show us that God judges righteously, searches every heart, and saves those who take refuge in Him?

God knows the truth about every heart.

David puts his case before the God who searches minds and hearts. If he has rewarded evil to someone at peace with him, he accepts judgment for it. God's knowledge gives no shelter to hidden guilt, and false words cannot deceive Him.

God's judgment warns the wicked to repent.

The sword and bow show judgment made ready against the person who will not relent. God's indignation is real, so we must never treat His patience as permission for sin. David asks Him to establish righteousness and bring wickedness to an end.

The LORD turns wicked schemes back on their maker.

The wicked man labours to dig a pit and falls into it himself. His violence comes back on his own head. David praises God's righteousness instead of making the final verdict his own work.

Memorise

My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart.

Psalm 7:10

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what hidden wrong must I bring to Jesus the righteous Judge?

David asks that wickedness come to an end, because “their minds and hearts are searched by the righteous God.” We need that searching light on our own hearts. A successful defence before people cannot clear guilt before Him.

Jesus entrusted Himself to the One who judges righteously, as 1 Peter 2 verse 23 teaches. At the cross the innocent Savior accepted the punishment for His people. He rose in victory over death. The debt He paid is settled in full, and no further sacrifice is required.

Come to Him with the guilt you have tried to hide. Turn from sin and trust the Lord Jesus Christ. His forgiveness covers all who rely on Him, and His righteousness is their standing before God. The righteous King is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God knows every heart and judges righteously. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that His judgments are righteous and His knowledge is complete. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent me.

John 8:16

Righteous God, You know what is true when people accuse one another. Search our hearts and expose the sins we hide. Please bring us to repent and trust Jesus for pardon. Keep us from wicked schemes this week, and teach us to take refuge in You. Amen.