"My defense is of God, Who saves the upright in heart" (Psalm 7:10).
In Psalm 7 David was falsely accused of some crime. We know little beyond that it involves Cush, a relative of Saul. Cush had instigated hatred and opposition against David by spreading lies about him. Cush either was bribed by the king to injure David’s reputation or he acted alone to win royal favor.
David immediately appeals to God, emphasizing that he is innocent of the alleged crime. His conscience is so clear that he says, “O LORD my God, if I have done this: if there is iniquity in my hands … let the enemy pursue me and overtake me.” David’s prayer is passionate as he appeals to God’s righteous judgment. David knows that he has nothing to fear from his accusers because God saves the upright in heart.
David’s boast of righteousness is not based on righteousness in every area of his life. His ways are righteous only in comparison to his enemies. David seeks to serve the Lord; but his enemies have acted wickedly, especially in falsely accusing him of a crime. According to Calvin, David prays that “God would re-establish and uphold the righteous, who are wrongfully oppressed, and thus make it evident that they are continued in their estate by the power of God, notwithstanding the persecution to which they are subjected.”
When we are falsely accused, we do not need to become distressed by the actions of our enemies. We must appeal directly to God, for we know He judges in righteousness. We must remember this when Satan falsely accuses us, when he tempts us to doubt the blessed mediation of Christ, and causes us to fear that our sins are not forgiven and that we are headed for eternal damnation.
We can face the false accusations of Satan because we know we have an advocate in Jesus Christ. Our sins are forgiven in Him, and our guilt is taken away. Even when we do sin and suffer temporal consequences for those sins, we know that Christ has forgiven us. Therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Him. Satan can lay no charge against the elect that will damn them. God has removed all guilt from us, and we need not fear Satan’s schemes. Like David, we appeal to God’s righteous judgment in all things and rest in Christ, our blessed Redeemer.
Read Zechariah 3. When Satan accuses Joshua, what is the Lord’s response? What then is the Lord’s charge to Joshua? Remember those truths from Psalm 7 and Zechariah when you are falsely accused either by men or Satan.
