“SHIGGAION," in the heading of the Psalm is not understood. Like other Hebrew words in the Psalm titles, it may refer to the musical instruments used when the Psalms were sung, Cush the Benjamite was evidently one of David's enemies, like Shimei (2 Samuel 16:5-85And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came. 6And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. 7And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: 8The Lord hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the Lord hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man. (2 Samuel 16:5‑8)), Written by David on account: of his wicked son Absalom's seeking his life.
Psalm 7 has been set in its place in this Book by the Holy Spirit as telling the feelings of the believing Jews in the latter days.
"The effectual fervant prayer of a righteous man availeth much," because it is a prayer of one who both trusts in God (verse 1), and is upright in heart (verse 10).
Yet the words of this Psalm could only have their fullest expression in the Lord Jesus when He went about in this world, hated without a cause, except that He exposed their wicked hearts. He was the one altogether dependent Man (see Philippians 2:8,8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:8) and the whole record of His life as a man here below; Matthew 3:1515And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. (Matthew 3:15); Mark 1:3535And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. (Mark 1:35); Luke 2:49,49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? (Luke 2:49) and John 18:1111Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? (John 18:11) are examples).
In His hands there was no iniquity (verse 3); He had freed him that without cause oppressed Him (verse 4)—this was seen in His whole life of service, and most of all in His atoning death (Isaiah 53:55But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5) speaking of the latter as verses 3 and 4 do of His life).
Here then we may see Jesus taking His place with the godly among the Jews, perfect in all His way, and leaving an example that the godly should follow His steps, who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth (1 Peter 2:21, 2221For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: (1 Peter 2:21‑22)).
Verses 6 to 16, as we have observed in connection with other Psalms, speak of the certain judgment of God; it will come, but such language, proper enough from God's earthly people in the coming day, is never given to the Christian, because this is the day of God's grace.
"The people," in verses 7 and 8, does not refer to the Jews, but to the Gentile nations who are going to meet God in judgment.
It will be seen that in this Psalm there is no confession of guilt, or looking for mercy; the words are those of one whose ways are pleasing- to God. Such can expect an answer to their prayers; God hears their cry (see, among many passages, Philippians 4:99Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. (Philippians 4:9)).
This is the last prayer-Psalm of the series (Psalms 3 to 8), for the next one gives God's answer to the cry of His people.