‘O righteous God who searches the minds and the hearts; bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure!’ (Ps 7:9)

Psalm 7 is one of the imprecatory Psalms of David. The word ‘imprecatory’ means to ask God to judge, to curse your enemies. David is slandered and persecuted unjustly. He is a warrior, not a coward. The easiest option for him is to fight back and kill his opponent. But we see here that David choses to pray. He is asking God to intervene, to defend and to protect him.

Question: what do you do when evil attacks you, slanders your good name and provokes you, for no good reason?

Apparently, the enemy slanders David in the way he uses his power and his wealth. He calls David oppressor and tyrant, with no care for others. The attack is on David’s character as a man of God and a ruler of men. By the way, this attack comes to all children of God who are in positions of authority.

David then asks God to judge the motives of all his actions and judgments. He knows that he has to be ‘cleared’ out first before he can ask God to judge another. David comes willingly before the throne of God for the judgment of his heart. He is innocent of any wrong doing but only God knows the truth.

‘Judge me O Lord according to my righteousness; according to my integrity, O Most High’

The word ‘integrity’ means honesty, the absence of hypocrisy. In Hebrew it means perfection, completeness, simplicity and prosperity. David wants God to X-ray his heart about the ways he came to power and the means he used to become rich. He is not conscious of any selfish ambition or wickedness in his dealings with men, friends or enemies.  He is confident that all his blessings are gifts from God and he did not corrupt them thru worldly means. David also knows that the blessings of God are free from ‘sorrows’ (PV 10:22). He sees that the enemy’s attack and slander upon his name is totally evil. Therefore, he rejects the attack thru this imprecatory prayer.

In other words, David tells God:

“Lord, my enemies have surrounded me like hungry lions. They attack me with wicked tongues. They want to add sorrow upon the blessings You gave to me. They want me to feel guilty about the prosperity You granted me. They want me to abandon the position, the promotion You gave to me.

I need Your help, Lord…

I am not aware of any wickedness in my heart concerning my relationship with You or my dealings with men. You called me, I did not call myself! You made me king and ruler over men! I did not impose myself upon this throne where I sit now! You made me rich and prosperous. I did not dream about millions, fashions, chariots or crowns…

My enemy claims that I stole this wealth; that I cheated others to assume this office; that I killed my opponent to become who I am today. Lord, only You alone can help me! I put my trust in You!  Arise to defend me from malicious tongues who hate Your grace upon my life. Arise, O Lord! Do not keep quiet! Judge my case, for You are the Judge of all the earth! I trust You, Lord! Give me a testimony of honor, proven holy character and righteous vindication!

Punish my enemy! Like Pharaoh in Egypt, let the sea cover my persecutors! Like Haman of old, who built the gallows for Mordecai, let my enemy fall in the pit he has prepared for me! Let the trouble and the violence my enemy has brought to my soul, go back to his head. Let the sorrow he gave to me be his portion! Fight for me O Lord, for Your name in my life is at stake! Vengeance is Yours, O Lord!

You are Jehovah Elyon! I bring to You this little prayer! Use it to fight my strong enemies! I vow to praise Your name forever: for the turning of the tables, for the miraculous victory and the mighty triumph!

I will sing Your praises, unashamed and free! I will continue to be generous to many who are in need, planting seeds of righteousness wherever I go! Thanksgiving in my heart will remain my daily sacrifice!

Amen!”