Movatterモバイル変換

I Take Refuge in You
…3O LORD my God, if I have done this, if injustice is on my hands,4ifI have rewardedmy allywith evil,if I have plunderedmy foewithout cause,5then may my enemy pursue me and overtake me; may he trample me to the ground and leave my honor in the dust. Selah…

Treasury of Scripture

If I have rewarded evil to him that was at peace with me; (yes, I have delivered him that without cause is my enemy:)

If I

Psalm 55:20
He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.

Psalm 109:5
And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

Genesis 44:4
And when they were gone out of the city,and notyet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?

I have

1 Samuel 24:7,10,11
So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went onhis way…

1 Samuel 26:9-17,24
And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless? …

without

1 Samuel 19:4,5
And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his workshave been to theeward very good: …

1 Samuel 20:1
And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? whatis mine iniquity? and whatis my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?

1 Samuel 22:14
Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And whois so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?

AdversaryCauseDeliveredDrawEmptinessEnemyEvilFoeFreedFriendIndeedOppressedPeacePlunderedRequitedRewardedRobbedSpoiledAdversaryCauseDeliveredDrawEmptinessEnemyEvilFoeFreedFriendIndeedOppressedPeacePlunderedRequitedRewardedRobbedSpoiled1.David prays against the malice of his enemies, professing his innocence
10.By faith he sees his defense, and the destruction of his enemies

if I have rewarded my ally with evil
This phrase reflects a deep introspection and a plea for divine justice. The psalmist, traditionally understood to be David, is asserting his innocence before God. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, loyalty to allies was a significant moral and social obligation. Betraying an ally would have been seen as a grave sin, violating the covenantal relationships that were central to Israelite society. This plea can be connected to the broader biblical theme of integrity and righteousness, as seen inProverbs 17:13, which warns against repaying good with evil. The phrase also foreshadows the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, highlighting the ultimate act of rewarding good with evil.

if I have plundered my foe without cause
Here, the psalmist is emphasizing his commitment to justice, even towards his enemies. In the historical context, plundering was a common practice in warfare, yet the psalmist claims innocence of such acts without justification. This reflects the biblical principle of just warfare and the importance of righteous conduct, even in conflict, as seen inDeuteronomy 20, which outlines ethical warfare practices. The phrase underscores the importance of motive and justice, aligning with Jesus' teachings inMatthew 5:44, where He instructs to love enemies and pray for those who persecute you. This commitment to justice and righteousness, even towards foes, is a type of Christ, who exemplified perfect justice and mercy.

1.David
The author of the psalm, traditionally believed to be King David, who often wrote psalms during times of distress and persecution.

2.Cush, a Benjamite
The psalm is attributed to David concerning the words of Cush, a Benjamite. This may refer to a specific adversary or symbolize those who falsely accuse David.

3.Enemies and Allies
The psalm speaks to the relationships David has with both his allies and his foes, highlighting themes of justice and righteousness.Integrity in Relationships
As believers, we are called to maintain integrity in our relationships, ensuring that we do not repay evil for good or harm others without cause.

Self-Examination
This verse encourages us to examine our actions and motives, ensuring that we are not guilty of wrongdoing against others.

Trust in God's Justice
Instead of seeking personal vengeance, we should trust in God's justice and timing, knowing that He will vindicate the righteous.

Peacemaking
We are called to be peacemakers, striving to live in harmony with others and resolving conflicts in a godly manner.

Repentance and Forgiveness
If we find ourselves guilty of wrongdoing, we should seek repentance and offer forgiveness to those who have wronged us.1.What is the meaning of Psalm 7:4?

2.How does Psalm 7:4 encourage us to examine our actions towards others?

3.What does Psalm 7:4 teach about responding to false accusations?

4.How can Psalm 7:4 guide us in seeking reconciliation with others?

5.Connect Psalm 7:4 with Matthew 5:44 on loving and praying for enemies.

6.How can we apply the humility of Psalm 7:4 in daily conflicts?

7.How does Psalm 7:4 challenge the concept of personal integrity and righteousness?

8.What historical context influenced the writing of Psalm 7:4?

9.How does Psalm 7:4 relate to the theme of divine justice?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 7?

11.Is keeping secrets aligned with biblical teachings?

12.In Joshua 15:16-19, how can we reconcile the moral implications of offering a daughter as a reward for capturing Kiriath-sepher?

13.In Job 4:7, how could Eliphaz assert that no innocent person has ever perished when history shows countless examples of righteous people suffering?

14.How did Jehoshaphat's army manage to march forth singing and then gather the spoils without engaging in a standard military offensive (2 Chronicles 20:21-25)?if I have rewarded my ally with evil

David is praying a self-imprecatory oath—“LORD, examine me; if I’ve done this, let judgment fall.” He knows God sees the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

• “Rewarded my ally with evil” pictures treachery: returning harm for help (Proverbs 17:13; cf.Psalm 35:12).

• David had opportunities to hurt friends like Jonathan or helpful soldiers, yet never did (1 Samuel 20:17;2 Samuel 23:15-17).

• The line anticipates New-Covenant teaching: “Repay no one evil for evil” (Romans 12:17) and “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult” (1 Peter 3:9).

• By inviting God’s scrutiny, David models integrity: “Search me, O God” (Psalm 139:23-24).

---

if I have plundered my foe without cause

David widens the claim: not only has he avoided betraying friends, he has also refused unjust violence against enemies.

• “Without cause” recalls Saul’s baseless persecution (1 Samuel 24:11). Twice David spared Saul’s life, proving he would not steal or strike unlawfully (1 Samuel 24:6-7; 26:9-11).

• God’s law forbade coveting or theft (Exodus 20:15;Deuteronomy 23:25); David submits to that standard even in war (Deuteronomy 20:19-20).

• Proverbs urges mercy toward adversaries (Proverbs 25:21-22), a principle Christ later amplifies—“Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44).

• The psalmist’s words box him in: should evidence of plunder appear, he invites God’s judgment (Psalm 7:5). Faith in God’s justice frees him from personal vengeance.

---

summary

Psalm 7:4 shows David appealing to God as the righteous Judge, confident he has neither betrayed friends nor wronged enemies. He stakes his safety on that innocence, foreshadowing Christ’s call to repay evil with good. The verse challenges believers to the same blameless integrity—loyal to allies, honorable toward foes—trusting God, not self, to right every wrong.

(4)Yea, I have--i.e., on the contrary, so far from returning evil for good, I have returned good for evil.With allusion, there can be little doubt, to the incidents referred to in the last Note. From metrical reasons, and also to avoid the abruptness of the change of construction, Ewald conjectures that two clauses have dropped out of the text, and restores as follows--

"If I have rewarded evil unto him that dealt friendly with me

(And cunning unto him that was at peace with me,

Yea, if I have not rewarded his soul with good).

And delivered him that without cause is my enemy."

Milton's translation gives yet another colour to the passage--

"If I have wrought

Ill to him that meant me peace,

Or to him have rendered less,

And not freed my foe for nought."

The conjecture of a corruption of the text is supported by the rendering of the LXX. and Vulg., and a very slight change gives the probable rendering: "If I have returned evil to him that dealt friendly with me, and injured my enemy without cause."

Verse 4. -If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me. This is probably the true meaning. David denies that he has wantonly attacked and injured any one with whom he was on friendly and peaceable terms. No doubt he was accused of having estranged Saul by plotting to take the crown from him. (Yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy.) This translation, which is retained by our Revisers, has the support also of Ewald, Hupfeld, Mr. Aglen, and the 'Speaker's Commentary.' If accepted, it must be considered as a reference to1 Samuel 24:7, or else to1 Samuel 26:9, or both, and as a sort of parenthetic protest, "Nay, not only have I not injured a friend, but I have gone so far as to let my enemy escape me." A different meaning is, however, given to the passage by many critics, as Rosenmuller, Hengstenberg, Bishop Horsley, Cheyne, etc., who regard the sense as running on without any parenthesis, and translate, "If I have oppressed him who without cause is mine enemy." David, according to this view, denies that he has either injured a friend or requited evil to a foe.

Parallel Commentaries ...


if
אִם־(’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518:Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

I have rewarded
גָּ֭מַלְתִּי(gā·mal·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1580:To deal fully or adequately with, deal out to, wean, ripen

my ally
שֽׁוֹלְמִ֥י(šō·wl·mî)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7999:To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, to reciprocate

with evil,
רָ֑ע(rā‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7451:Bad, evil

if I have plundered
וָאֲחַלְּצָ֖ה(wā·’ă·ḥal·lə·ṣāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2502:To pull off, to strip, to depart, to deliver, equip, present, strengthen

my foe
צוֹרְרִ֣י(ṣō·wr·rî)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6887:To bind, tie up, be restricted, narrow, scant, or cramped

without cause,
רֵיקָֽם׃(rê·qām)
Adverb
Strong's 7387:Emptily, ineffectually, undeservedly


Psalm 7:4 NIV
Psalm 7:4 NLT
Psalm 7:4 ESV
Psalm 7:4 NASB
Psalm 7:4 KJV

Psalm 7:4 BibleApps.com
Psalm 7:4 Biblia Paralela
Psalm 7:4 Chinese Bible
Psalm 7:4 French Bible
Psalm 7:4 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Psalm 7:4 If I have rewarded evil to him (Psalm Ps Psa.)