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Day 52

"Arise, O LORD..."

Day 52 – Psalm 7

“Arise, O LORD…” Psalm 7:6a

AN INTRIGUING APPEAL TO THE ANGER OF GOD

We have a most intriguing passage to study in the following text.

“Arise, O LORD, in Your anger;
Lift Yourself up because of the rage of my enemies;
Rise up for me to the judgment You have commanded!
Psalm 7:6

1. Comparison of Texts

a) Fear of the Lord’s anger was declared

“O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger.” Psalm 6:1a

b) Appeal to the anger of the Lord

“Arise, O LORD, in Your anger” Psalm 7:6a

2. Reconciliation of these two texts

We need to attempt to reconcile these two texts. Here are some thoughts to consider.

a) The fear of the Lord and His righteous anger was retained throughout.
b) David displays a deep understanding of how the anger of the Lord works.
c) God’s anger would be justifiably aroused given the following conditions.
i) If there is savage intent to destroy (Psalm 7:2).
ii) If there is harbouring of wicked iniquity in the heart (Psalm 7:3).
iii) If there is the practice of unwarranted evil (Psalm 7:4a).
iv) If there is outrageous plundering (Psalm 7:4b).
v) If there is unjustified rage (Psalm 7:6b)

3. The basis of this appeal to God’s anger

a) The word “anger” may be translated as “righteous indignation”.
b) The word “anger” is not to be separated from God’s “judgment”.
c) God would surely be righteously indignant at the wicked enemies of David.
d) David is therefore appealing to Divine Justice.
i) Divine justice would continue to be impartial.
ii) But it would not be without “righteous indignation”.