The Poison of Slander

 Temple Baptist Church - 10-16-2022

Psalm 7

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Psalm 7 is the story of Cush the Benjamite, a man who took it upon himself to slander David.  This is the only place in the Bible where we find Cush the Benjamite mentioned, so there is much discussion as to who he was, when this was, and why it took place. What we do know is that someone by that name, an enemy of David and an enemy of God, did David a great injustice and tried to get him killed.

 

B.  The Psalm is an important one because everyone of us here tonight has suffered under the wicked tongue of others.

 

C.  In James, chapter 3, verses 1-10—we find a Full Mention Principle of Bible Interpretation concerning the tongue. There we find:

 

1.  The tongue can be hard to manage.

 

2.  The tongue can kindle a great fire.

 

3.  The tongue can be set on fire of hell. Satan uses the tongue.

 

4.  The tongue can be an unruly evil, full of poison.

 

D.  The tongue of Cush is found in the history of this Psalm as an attempt to destroy a man after God’s own heart.

 

E.  We also find in this Psalm another truth. Those who use the tongue in such a way come into condemnation by it. “What goes around comes around.”

 

Proverbs 18:21  Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

 

F.  This was no ordinary slander as Cush desired David’s death. But David turned the situation into a Psalm of praise instead of one of defeat. The slander was rightly handled!

 

1.  Verse 1-2.  David’s Prayer.  He took it to the LORD.  David’s confidence in the LORD was not shaken by his situation.  I thank the Lord that we can approach Him in the direst of situation and expect Him to: (I have found that the more that you try to correct slander, the worse it looks on you.  Give a correction; keep it simple; do not try to slander the slanderer; and MOVE ON!  Your friends with believe you and your enemies will not.)

 

a.  Confidence in God to hear our supplication.

 

b.  Confidence in God to assess our situation.

 

c.  Confidence in God to sustain our soul.

 

2.  Verses 3-5. David’s Submission.  David bows to the will and way or God.

 

a.  His submission to the LORD’s scrutiny. The FIRST thing that did was David to ask  God to search his soul to see if the slander was a right one. (Make sure that the slander is a false one, not a right one.  Do not ask man if it is right, ask the Lord and He will answer you.)

 

b.  His submission to the LORD’s sentencing. If the slander was right, David bowed to the punishment from God that was appropriate.

 

3.  Verses 6-9. David’s Seeking. Imprecatory praying (to invoke evil or a curse): praying for the justice and judgment of God upon evil doers who will neither stop persecuting the righteous nor will they get right with the Lord.  (This type of praying is to be used sparingly and only in extreme cases of slander when the enemy persists in his destruction.  In the New Testament, we are command to pray for them and do good to them if and when possible.)

 

a.  The LORD’s justice. “Arise, O LORD, in thine anger”

 

b.  The LORD’s judgment. “to the judgment that thou hast commanded.”

 

4.  Verses 10-11.  David’s Sanctuary. The Lord is our refuge in times of trouble.  In Him, we live and have our being and His love never diminishes, nor His protection ever fails.  (The Lord is my Light and my Salvation, my Fortress, my Refuge, my High Tower, my Protector, and my Rock.)

 

a.  My defense. Our defense is of God.

 

b.  My deliverance. Our deliverance is in God.

 

5.  Verses12-16.  David’s Satisfaction. 

 

a.  The sinner’s choice.  “If he turn not”  Cush could have owned up to his slander of David and the judgment of God removed.

 

b.  The sinner’s condemnation.  “His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.”

 

6.  Verse 17.  David’s Song.

 

a.  Preemptive praise.  “I will praise”

 

b.  Public praise.  “I will sing” turned into a Psalm.