One Good Shove Deserves…

Read Psalms 5:1–8:9

1. I come to you for protection, O Lord my God. Save me from my persecutors—rescue me!
2. If you don’t, they will maul me like a lion, tearing me to pieces with no one to rescue me.
3. O Lord my God, if I have done wrong or am guilty of injustice,
4. if I have betrayed a friend or plundered my enemy without cause,
5. then let my enemies capture me. Let them trample me into the ground and drag my honor in the dust.
6. Arise, O Lord, in anger! Stand up against the fury of my enemies! Wake up, my God, and bring justice!
7. Gather the nations before you. Rule over them from on high.
8. The Lord judges the nations. Declare me righteous, O Lord, for I am innocent, O Most High!
9. End the evil of those who are wicked, and defend the righteous. For you look deep within the mind and heart, O righteous God. Psalm 7:1-9

Being falsely accused or slandered is inevitable, especially if you are living your life for God. But how should you respond to such an injustice? Should you defend yourself and fight back? Or should you turn the other cheek?

David knew how to respond to injustice. Psalm 7 reveals his response and solution for dealing with unjust people. David knows that restoring justice is God’s responsibility, so he submits a request rather than taking matters into his own hands. Learn from David how to respond when you’re angry about an injustice.

Other psalms in this section tell us that God defends us against slander (Psalm 5); God rescues us when we’re in trouble (Psalm 6); and God the Creator cares for us (Psalm 8).

David wrote Psalm 7 in response to the personal attacks of those who claimed that he was trying to kill Saul and seize the throne (see 1 Samuel 24:9-11). Instead of taking matters into his own hands and striking back, David entrusted himself to God and cried out to him for justice. David did not have the authority to enact justice himself, so he did not try.

That should be our response. Whenever we are slandered, we should pray, not slander back; whenever we are insulted, we should pray, not give a retort. God says, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back” (Romans 12:19; see also Deuteronomy 32:35; Hebrews 10:30).

The next time someone attacks you, ask God to take over your case, bring justice, and protect your reputation. Only he can deal justly with the offender.