Psalm 7

vs 9

Perhaps David meant this in a specific way regarding his circumstances. But you read it and tell me you don't think of heaven. That's the only way I can think of that God can end all violence and secure the righteous.

Note that David links this activity with God's character of being able to probe the mind and the heart. These are characteristics of judgement, that God will use to judge justly. God is the only person we can trust to judge completely justly, and that only at the end of days.

vs 10

Not that he always does, not here anyway. But that is again part of the character of God - he saves the upright, not the wicked. Of course, as people on the other side of the cross, we tend to see it as "he saves the wicked, and leaves those who think they are upright to realise how wrong they are", because that was Jesus' attitude. And of course, that is right. But David comes from a different time, where those who are upright are upright because of their relationship with God, not the other way round. And to David, the only protection worth having, as an upright person with a relationship with God, is God himself.

vs 11

Wow.
I don't know how often I've heard this verse. I don't know if I've ever heard it before. But it's absolutely true. God's wrath is just as much a part of his character, just as much a part of his voice as his love. And who can argue with his wrath, for he is a righteous judge!

vs 12

Either way you read this verse, it's bad news. These are weapons of war, being prepared for use against the wicked. Just think of all those oppressed and persecuted Christians - those who persecute them are in this position - the sword is being sharpened, the bow is being strung.

vs 13

My meagre understanding of old weaponry is that flaming arrows would have been used in sieges - setting stuff on fire is great for sieges. Not so good against warriors. So God is not just preparing a skirmish - he will go and siege the strongholds of those who oppose him. It's a campaign.

vs 14

What a powerful picture. Evil leads only to trouble and disillusionment. The thing about delusions, though, is that they can be powerful enough to lead people astray their whole lives, and they will ignore the sharpening of the sword because of it. Evil covers people's eyes to the reality of judgement.

vs 15

Obviously this doesn't happen to everyone who digs a hole. However, if you think about it logically, if you were on your own, without help, eventually you would dig a hole so deep you couldn't climb out again. Yes, ladders etc, I understand.

The point David is making is that if you dig a hole of trouble, you're only digging it for yourself in the end.

vs 16

It's like "he who lives by the sword, dies by the sword" - causing trouble eventually ends up causing trouble for you. Living by violence eventually brings violent responses. If you march out with an army, eventually someone's going to march out and meet you with an army.

This is still true today. If you act in a violent manner to everything, eventually the police are going to be forced to use violence on you. And that is if someone else just doesn't respond that way first.

vs 17

God can't dig a hole so deep that he can't get out. God doesn't cause trouble. Everything God does is perfect, not troublesome.

However, God does use violence. I think the Old Testament does differentiate between righteous violence and evil violence, but it's still a curly one. I mean, what's the definition of violence? Is spanking a child violence? It can have the same effect, can't it - of the child trying to respond with violence, even though it is hopelessly overpowered. God surely has allowed violence to happen to people, and had them rail against him violently. But railing against God is like railing against your parent when you're 18 months old - you've got no chance. Perhaps the difference is that God is able to use violence judiciously, whereas we are far more blunt instruments.

Regardless, David does not give thanks to God for his violence, but for his righteousness. That is what causes him to sing praises.