Psalm 7 An Ode of David
A Shiggaion (Ode) of David, which he sang unto Yahweh, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite.
This song, like the one in the third chapter of Habakkuk’s short book, is in response to the injustice in Israel and God’s final response- the sending of His Son to execute judgment. It is a Shiggaion or "ode" (Targum) of David that he sang unto Yahweh, concerning the Word of Cush the Benjamite. “Shiggaion” only appears at one other place on Scriptures, that is in Habakkuk 3:1, where it occurs in plural form. There David was not the only victim. In Habakkah, it was the prophet’s response to the news of God’s coming to set things right.
Many believe that Cush (litlerally dark) was a codename for king Saul or one of his faithful servants, but I believe that David truly supported his lord the king with all his heart, even in the face of fierce persecution. It was those who worked lies that were enemies of God— they who incited the king in his fears and manipulated him for their own good.
Others think that David had Shimei in mind. According to the prophet, David had received remission of his sins, yet while David was fleeing Jerusalem, Shimei declared: “Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel! Yahweh has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. Yahweh has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!” (2 Samuel 16:7-8) But I believe that Cush the Benjaminite is “a type of the man of sin.” (Joseph Sutcliffe) It is a name for all calumniators and revilers— or, as we would say, all “blackhearted” (symbolic) men. (Albert Barnes)— who based their opposition upon lies. These were dark Benjaminites, in flesh only.
Here is David’s initial ode— his response in the face of uncertainty—>
1 O Lord my God, in You I put my trust; save me from all those who persecute me; and deliver me, 2 lest they tear me like a lion, rending me in pieces, while there is none to deliver. 3 O Lord my God, if I have done this: If there is iniquity in my hands, 4 if I have repaid evil to him who was at peace with me, or have plundered my enemy without cause, 5 let the enemy pursue me and overtake me; yes, let him trample my life to the earth, and lay my honor in the dust. Selah
There is some truth in the words of our revilers. But after he is vindicated by being returned to the throne of Israel.—>
6 Arise, O Lord, in Your anger; lift Yourself up because of the rage of my enemies; rise up for me to the judgment You have commanded! 7 So the congregation of the peoples shall surround You; for their sakes, therefore, return on high. 8 Yahweh shall judge the peoples; judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to my integrity within me. 9 Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the just; fit the righteous God tests the hearts and minds. 10 My defense is of God, Who saves the upright in heart. 11 God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day. 12 If he does not turn back, He will sharpen His sword; He bends His bow and makes it ready. 13 He also prepares for Himself instruments of death; He makes His arrows into fiery shafts. 14 Behold, the wicked brings forth iniquity; yes, he conceives trouble and brings forth falsehood 15 He made a pit and dug it out, and has fallen into the ditch which he made. 16 His trouble shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown.
When David was returned to the throne, Shimei came looking for grace, which he received conditionally. Yet he broke that condition. Shimei did not turn back, so, David sharpened his sword; he bends His bow and makes it ready. (12) etc for execution of the judgment of God. Thus, from his death bed, David ordered Solomon— his son— to execute him.
17 I will praise Yahweh [even Yeshua] according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of Yahweh Most High.