Psalms 7:1-2 (ESV)
1 O LORD my God, in you do I take refuge;
save me from all my pursuers and deliver me,
2 lest like a lion they tear my soul apart,
rending it in pieces, with none to deliver.
God protects us from the attacks of mankind.
The opening introduction of this poem of David’s states:
“A Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning the words of Cush, a Benjaminite.”
A “shiggaion” is a musical term in the Hebrew and simply implies a poem or a rambling. It is stated that this poem was sung to God “concerning the words of Cush,” by David. Apparently, this Cush, a Benjaminite, was attacking David verbally. It is interesting that we are given a prayer of David’s about a personal take centered around verbal abuse. We often think of physical abuse as a main culprit to societal disorder. But, in this case the Holy Spirit, though the pen of David, the poet, gives us a prayer we can utter to God about verbal abuse. Make no mistake, verbal abuse can be even more destructive in the life than physical. David, in the above verses, compares this verbal onslaught to being torn apart by a lion. That is how devastating this verbal attack was do him. However, David does not turn to another human friend to deal with this abuse. He does not verbally vomit back at Cush (to our knowledge). He does not curl up in a ball and bemoan his existence. David brings his hurt to God. That is the formula. Remember, when Jesus was reviled by the mobs, He did not revile and hurt insults back at them.
1 Peter 2:23 (ESV)
23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
Jesus committed His care to God, who judges justly. In Romans 12 we are told not to revile back:
Romans 12:16-21 (ESV)
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
David, in this prayer, takes refuge in God. God is his hiding place. God is his safe space. He does not need others to defend him. When he is reproached by this man, Cush, David turns to the King of Kings to find shelter. He doesn’t spread rumors about Cush and create a posse of followers to support him. He delivers Cush over to God and his own care of to God. That is the formula for dealing with abuse in our lives.
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