With Psalm 7 we again get some pointers to context as the psalm is A shiggaion (whatever that may be) of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush, a Benjamite. However, it is not possible to link it definitely to any known event in the life of David recorded in Scripture. The psalm is a plea for justice in the face of slander and speaks much of God's justice and judgement. Its messianic element is quite clear. Verse 9 is very much an epitomising verse. David addresses the righteous God, the God who is just and holy. He refers to him as the one who searches minds and hearts - mere outward righteous will never be enough for him. (All this comes after the prayer in the original). The prayer to this God is that he will do two things, one negative and one positive. First, that he will bring to an end the violence of the wicked. We can think of that violence, by way of application, on many fronts - international wars, civil wars, crime on the streets, persecution of Christians, strife in families and churches, personal injuries. Only God can bring such violence to an end - temporarily now and then ultimately forever. The second prayer is that God will establish or make the righteous secure. May they not be ruined but may they prosper. This should be the bent of our prayers too - praying for the establishment of the righteous and the bringing down of the wicked. God is righteous and will hear such prayers.
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