Psalm 7 3

Psalm 7:3 kjv

O LORD my God, If I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;

Psalm 7:3 nkjv

O LORD my God, if I have done this: If there is iniquity in my hands,

Psalm 7:3 niv

LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands?

Psalm 7:3 esv

O LORD my God, if I have done this, if there is wrong in my hands,

Psalm 7:3 nlt

O LORD my God, if I have done wrong
or am guilty of injustice,

Psalm 7 verses

Psalm 7 3 Meaning

Psalm 7:3 expresses David's fervent plea for divine judgment, emphatically declaring his innocence before God concerning the false accusations laid against him. It is a profound assertion of a clear conscience, inviting God's omniscient scrutiny and vindication if his actions, symbolized by his "hands," were truly involved in wrongdoing or injustice as alleged. This verse underscores a reliance on God as the ultimate arbiter of truth and righteousness.

Psalm 7 3 Context

Psalm 7 is identified as a "Shiggaion of David," sung to the Lord "concerning Cush, a Benjamite." While Cush is not explicitly mentioned elsewhere in biblical narratives related to David, the context suggests a time of intense false accusation and persecution. David faces enemies who unjustly pursue him, slander him, and seek his downfall. This psalm is a heartfelt appeal for divine justice and vindication in the face of such betrayal or malicious charges. Verse 3, therefore, serves as the cornerstone of David's defense, laying before God a solemn oath of his innocence regarding the alleged "guilt" and affirming his commitment to righteous conduct. Historically, such public declarations of innocence and appeals to a higher power were crucial for maintaining one's standing and honor in the community.

Psalm 7 3 Word analysis

• O Lord (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the covenant name of God, indicating His personal, revealed, and unchanging nature. By addressing Him as YHWH, David invokes God's faithfulness and omnipotence as the covenant keeper who justly judges His people. It highlights an intimate, trust-filled relationship between David and the divine Judge.
• my God (אֱלֹהַי, Elohay): The possessive suffix ("my") emphasizes a personal and exclusive devotion, reflecting David's intimate relationship with the Creator and King. This phrase often signifies a plea for help based on existing divine-human covenantal bonds, highlighting that David considers Yahweh to be his specific protector and ultimate authority.
• if (אִם, 'im): This conditional particle introduces a hypothesis that David emphatically denies. It sets up a "surely not" or "by no means" kind of statement, acting as a strong negative assertion of his innocence. It's an appeal for God to demonstrate the falsity of the accusations by inspecting his life.
• I have done (עָשִׂיתִי, 'asiti): From the verb 'asah, meaning "to do, make, commit." It denotes an active, volitional act. David is not merely denying a mistake but refuting the deliberate commission of a specific, grave wrongdoing.
• this (זֹאת, zo't): This demonstrative pronoun refers directly to the specific charges brought against David, which are further elaborated in Psalm 7:4-5, namely, repaying good with evil, plundering, or persecuting a righteous person. It pinpoints the precise allegations he is denying.
• if there is guilt (אִם־יֶשׁ־עָוֶל, im-yesh-'avel):
  • guilt (עָוֶל, 'avel): This term signifies unrighteousness, perversity, injustice, or moral crookedness. It refers to a departure from what is morally upright or divinely commanded. It's a strong ethical term, indicating more than just error but a profound moral failing.
  • there is (יֶשׁ, yesh): Denotes existence or presence. "If there truly is."
  This phrase directly asserts that David challenges the very presence of moral crookedness or injustice in his actions related to the specific charge.
• in my hands (בְּכַפָּי, bekappay): The hands symbolize actions, deeds, and the sphere of one's active conduct and power. "Guilt in my hands" directly implicates one's deeds in injustice. Conversely, "clean hands" is a recurring biblical metaphor for innocence and righteousness (e.g., Psa 24:4; Job 17:9). David is asking God to examine his practical, outward conduct related to the accusation.

• "O Lord my God": This powerful address emphasizes both God's supreme authority (Lord/YHWH) and His personal relationship with the speaker (my God). It reflects the deepest trust and dependence, presenting the legal case directly to the highest divine court.
• "if I have done this, if there is guilt in my hands": This couplet forms a legal-like oath or a conditional imprecation. David is saying, "If I am guilty of what they accuse me of, then let Your judgment fall." It's an invitation for God's ultimate inspection and judgment to vindicate his integrity. This doubling emphasizes the earnestness of his appeal and the falsity of the accusation.

Psalm 7 3 Bonus section

• The structure of Psalm 7:3 and subsequent verses forms a powerful imprecation, where David essentially states, "If I am guilty of these things, then let the judgment I ask for my enemies fall upon me." This profound self-cursing oath underscores the absolute certainty of his innocence and his unwavering confidence in God's just judgment.
• The mysterious figure of "Cush, a Benjamite," has led scholars to speculate his identity. Some propose he represents Shimei (from Benjamin) who cursed David, or even Saul (also a Benjamite) in a symbolic sense, representing the widespread animosity from a particular tribal faction towards David's reign or early life. The very specific name suggests a real, yet perhaps unrecorded, individual whose actions deeply affected David.
• David's approach of appealing directly to God for vindication serves as a pattern for believers. When slandered or falsely accused, the most potent recourse is not self-defense or vengeance but to commit one's cause to the sovereign and just God, as seen throughout the narratives of the Psalms.

Psalm 7 3 Commentary

Psalm 7:3 embodies a pivotal moment in David's prayer of appeal to God. Facing venomous slander and false accusations (as detailed in verses 4-5), David does not engage his accusers directly with human arguments but instead turns to God. He employs a form of a negative conditional oath, challenging the divine Omniscient to find any truth in the charges. By declaring, "if I have done this, if there is guilt in my hands," David opens his entire being to God's scrutiny. He calls upon Yahweh, his covenant God, knowing that only God can truly discern the heart's intentions and the full truth of one's actions. The phrase "guilt in my hands" metaphorically signifies active participation in injustice, contrasting with the biblical concept of "clean hands" representing innocence and righteousness. This verse thus stands as a timeless expression of reliance on divine justice for vindication when facing false accusations, placing trust in God's righteousness above all human judgment. It teaches believers to bring their clear conscience, and even their unclarified situations, before the Lord, trusting in His perfect and unfailing judgment.