O LORD my God, I take refuge in You; save me and deliver me from all my pursuers, O LORD my GodThis phrase begins with a personal and covenantal address to God, using "LORD" which translates from the Hebrew "Yahweh," the sacred and personal name of God revealed to Moses. It signifies a deep, personal relationship and acknowledges God's sovereignty and faithfulness. The addition of "my God" emphasizes a personal claim to this relationship, indicating trust and reliance on God as a personal protector and deity. Historically, this reflects the intimate relationship between God and His people, Israel, and by extension, to all who call upon His name in faith. I take refuge in You
The Hebrew root for "take refuge" is "chasah," which conveys seeking shelter or protection. This imagery is akin to a bird finding safety under the wings of its parent, a common biblical metaphor for God's protection (e.g., Psalm 91:4). In the ancient Near Eastern context, cities of refuge provided safety for those in danger, and this concept is spiritually applied here, where God Himself is the ultimate refuge. This phrase inspires believers to seek God as their sanctuary amidst life's storms, trusting in His ability to shield and sustain them. save me and deliver me
The dual request for salvation and deliverance underscores a plea for both immediate rescue and ongoing protection. "Save" comes from the Hebrew "yasha," which is the root of the name "Jesus" (Yeshua), meaning "The Lord saves." "Deliver" translates from "natsal," implying a snatching away from danger. This reflects the biblical theme of God as a Savior who not only rescues from physical threats but also from spiritual peril. Historically, this echoes the deliverance of Israel from Egypt and foreshadows the ultimate salvation through Christ. from all my pursuers
The term "pursuers" suggests relentless enemies or troubles, akin to hunters chasing their prey. In David's context, this could refer to literal enemies like Saul or other adversaries. Spiritually, it represents the various trials, temptations, and spiritual forces that seek to undermine the believer's faith. The comprehensive "all" indicates that no threat is beyond God's power to overcome. This phrase reassures believers that God is aware of every challenge they face and is capable of delivering them from each one, reinforcing the promise of His protection and care. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of the psalm, traditionally believed to be King David, who often sought refuge in God during times of distress and persecution. 2. LORD (Yahweh)The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature, and His relationship with His people. 3. PursuersThe enemies or adversaries of David, who sought to harm him. This can be understood both literally, as in those who physically pursued David, and metaphorically, as spiritual or emotional adversaries. Teaching Points God as Our RefugeIn times of trouble, we are encouraged to seek God as our refuge. This involves trusting in His protection and provision, just as David did. Deliverance from AdversariesGod is not only a refuge but also a deliverer. We can pray for deliverance from both physical and spiritual adversaries, trusting in His power to save. Faith in God's SovereigntyRecognizing God's sovereignty helps us to rest in His plans, even when faced with challenges. Our faith is strengthened when we acknowledge His control over all situations. Prayer as a Response to PersecutionDavid's response to his pursuers was to pray. We should also turn to prayer as our first response when facing trials or persecution. Trust in God's TimingDeliverance may not always come immediately, but trusting in God's perfect timing is crucial. Patience and faith are key components of our walk with God. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of God as a refuge provide comfort in your current life situation? 2. In what ways can you identify with David's plea for deliverance from his pursuers? Are there "pursuers" in your life that you need to bring before God? 3. How can you incorporate the practice of seeking refuge in God into your daily routine? 4. What other biblical figures can you think of who sought refuge in God, and what can you learn from their experiences? 5. How does understanding God's sovereignty influence your response to adversity and challenges? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 18:2This verse also speaks of God as a refuge and deliverer, reinforcing the theme of God as a protector. 2 Samuel 22:3David's song of deliverance, where he praises God for being his rock and fortress, parallels the themes of refuge and salvation. Hebrews 6:18Discusses the concept of taking refuge in God, highlighting the hope and security found in Him. Proverbs 18:10Describes the name of the LORD as a strong tower, where the righteous find safety, echoing the refuge theme. People David, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Benjaminite, 7, Benjamite, Cruel, Cush, David, Deliver, Erring, Faith, Free, Gt, Hands, Lt, Meditation, O, Persecute, Pursue, Pursuers, Refuge, Sang, Save, Shiggaion, Song, Sung, Trust, TrustedDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 6:10 5836 disgrace
5947 shame Library January the Twenty-Ninth Noble Revenge
"I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy." --PSALM vii. 4. That is the noblest revenge, and in those moments David had intimate knowledge of the spirit of his Lord. "If thine enemy hunger, feed him!" Evil for good is devil-like. To receive a favour and to return a blow! To obtain the gift of language, and then to use one's speech to curse the giver! To use a sacred sword is unholy warfare! All this is devil-like. Evil for evil is beast-like. Yes, the dog bites back when it is …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling YearTurn or Burn
In the first place, what is the turning here meant? In the second place let us dwell on the necessity there is for men's turning, otherwise God will punish them; and then thirdly, let me remind you of the means whereby men can be turned from the error of their ways, and the weakness and frailty of their nature amended by the power of divine grace. I. In the first place, my hearers, let me endeavour to explain to you the NATURE OF THE TURNING HERE MEANT. It says--"if he turn not he will whet his sword." …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 2: 1856 Self-Respect and Self-Righteousness
PSALM vii. 8. Give sentence for me, O Lord, according to my righteousness; and according to the innocency that is in me. Is this speech self-righteous? If so, it is a bad speech; for self- righteousness is a bad temper of mind; there are few worse. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar. …
Charles Kingsley—The Good News of God Love for Hate, the True Quid Pro Quo
'And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. 5. And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had out off Saul's skirt. 6. And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture A Bundle of Proverbs
'Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. 23. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. 24. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. 25. There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. 26. He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him. 27. An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Of Having Confidence in God when Evil Words are Cast at Us
"My Son, stand fast and believe in Me. For what are words but words? They fly through the air, but they bruise no stone. If thou are guilty, think how thou wouldst gladly amend thyself; if thou knowest nothing against thyself, consider that thou wilt gladly bear this for God's sake. It is little enough that thou sometimes hast to bear hard words, for thou art not yet able to bear hard blows. And wherefore do such trivial matters go to thine heart, except that thou art yet carnal, and regardest …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ The Exile --Continued.
There are many echoes of this period of Engedi in the Psalms. Perhaps the most distinctly audible of these are to be found in the seventh psalm, which is all but universally recognised as David's, even Ewald concurring in the general consent. It is an irregular ode--for such is the meaning of Shiggaion in the title, and by its broken rhythms and abrupt transitions testifies to the emotion of its author. The occasion of it is said to be "the words of Cush the Benjamite." As this is a peculiar name …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David Twenty-Third Lesson Bear Fruit, that the Father May Give what Ye Ask;'
Bear fruit, that the Father may give what ye ask;' Or, Obedience the Path to Power in Prayer. Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide: that whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, He may give it you.'--John xv. 16. The fervent effectual prayer of a righteous man availeth much.'--James. v. 16. THE promise of the Father's giving whatsoever we ask is here once again renewed, in such a connection as …
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Blessings of Noah Upon Shem and Japheth. (Gen. Ix. 18-27. )
Ver. 20. "And Noah began and became an husbandman, and planted vineyards."--This does not imply that Noah was the first who began to till the ground, and, more especially, to cultivate the vine; for Cain, too, was a tiller of the ground, Gen. iv. 2. The sense rather is, that Noah, after the flood, again took up this calling. Moreover, the remark has not an independent import; it serves only to prepare the way for the communication of the subsequent account of Noah's drunkenness. By this remark, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Calvin -- Enduring Persecution for Christ
John Calvin was born in 1509, at Noyon, France. He has been called the greatest of Protestant commentators and theologians, and the inspirer of the Puritan exodus. He often preached every day for weeks in succession. He possest two of the greatest elements in successful pulpit oratory, self-reliance and authority. It was said of him, as it was afterward said of Webster, that "every word weighed a pound." His style was simple, direct, and convincing. He made men think. His splendid contributions to …
Various—The World's Great Sermons, Volume I Some General Uses from this Useful Truth, that Christ is the Truth.
Having thus cleared up this truth, we should come to speak of the way of believers making use of him as the truth, in several cases wherein they will stand in need of him as the truth. But ere we come to the particulars, we shall first propose some general uses of this useful point. First. This point of truth serveth to discover unto us, the woful condition of such as are strangers to Christ the truth; and oh, if it were believed! For, 1. They are not yet delivered from that dreadful plague of …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 7:1 NIVPsalm 7:1 NLTPsalm 7:1 ESVPsalm 7:1 NASBPsalm 7:1 KJV
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