Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the LORD, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite. O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:

PSALMS 7:1KJV
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Psalms 7:1 (KJV)

What does Psalms 7:1 mean?

Psalms 7:1 opens a song attributed to David with a plea for help against people pursuing him. David addresses the LORD as his God and looks to him for safety, asking both to be saved from his pursuers and to be delivered.

The title connects the song to the words of Cush, a Benjamite. The prayer begins personally, with “my God,” and moves from David’s trust to his urgent request for rescue.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 7:1

  • “Shiggaion” — שִׁגָּיוֹן (shiggayon): This is a term for a kind of song, though its precise meaning is uncertain. In the title, the word marks the composition as a song David sang.
  • “trust” — חָסָה (chasah): This word can mean taking refuge or seeking shelter. David’s trust is pictured as turning to the LORD for protection from danger.
  • “deliver” — נָצַל (natsal): This word can mean snatching away or rescuing from danger. The request gives a sense of David wanting to be brought out of his pursuers’ reach.

Why Psalms 7:1 matters

  • The title gives the prayer a setting involving someone’s words. It says David sang concerning “the words of Cush the Benjamite,” connecting the song to a dispute or accusation.
  • David’s concern is not only about one person. Although Cush is named in the title, David asks for rescue from “all them that persecute me.”
  • The danger sounds urgent rather than distant. The next verse compares a pursuer to a lion that could tear its victim apart.

Where else these words appear

“Shiggaion” Hebrew H7692 · used in 2 verses

  • Habakkuk 3:1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth.

“Benjamite” Hebrew H1145 · used in 18 verses

  • Judges 3:15 But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.
  • Judges 20:43 Thus they inclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and trode them down with ease over against Gibeah toward the sunrising.
  • 2 Samuel 19:16 And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.

“Cush” Hebrew H3568 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 2:13 And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.
  • Esther 8:9 Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.
  • Isaiah 43:3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

“trust” Hebrew H2620 · used in 36 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:37 And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted,
  • Psalms 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
  • Psalms 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.