Verse 1

do I = have I.

put my trust = flee for refuge. Hebrew. hasa. See App-69.

persecute = pursue me. Refers probably to Saul.

Verse 2

he: i.e. Cush.

tear. Hebrew. taraph. Refers to living prey.

my soul = me. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

while there is none to deliver. Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulg, read "and there be no deliverer to rescue". Better, no sign of a rescuer. Compare Lamentations 5:8.

Verse 3

iniquity. Hebrew. "aval. App-44. not the same as Psalms 7:14.

in my hands. Hands put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for what is done by them.

Verse 4

evil. Hebrew. raa". App-44.

delivered = rescued. Aramaean and Syriac read "oppressed".

enemy = adversary. Hebrew. zarar.

Verse 5

enemy = foe. Hebrew. "oyeb.

persecute . . . take . . . tread. Figure of speech Anabasis. App-6.

it = me.

Selah. Connecting the treading down of Psalms 7:5 with the rising up of Jehovah. See App-66.

Verse 7

people = peoples.

compass Thee about = gather round Thee: i.e. to hear Thy judgment.

Verse 9

wickedness . . . wicked = lawlessness . . . lawless. Hebrew. rasha. App-44.

Verse 10

defence = shield. See note on "shield", Psalms 6:12.

upright. Plural.

Verse 11

righteous. Plural.

GOD. Hebrew El. App-4.

Verse 12

He: i.e. God.

His sword . . . bow. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

Verse 13

ordaineth = will ordain.

Verse 14

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos, App-6.

travaileth . . . conceived . . . brought forth. Figure of speech Anabasis. App-6.

travaileth = will travail.

iniquity. Hebrew "aven App-44. i, not same word as Psalms 7:3.

mischief. Hebrew. "amal. App-44.

Verse 16

pate = head; especially the smooth skull. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6, for the whole person, for emphasis. From "plate" = the smooth top of the head (Skeat).

Verse 17

MOST HIGH. Hebrew. Elyon. See App-4. First occurrence in Psalms. The first of thirty-six occurrences in O.T. is Genesis 14:18.

To the chief Musician. See App-64.

upon Gittith = relating to the Feast of Tabernacles (for which it was suited), because it commemorated safe dwelling after deliverance. See App-66.