Log inSign up

Psalm 7 · a question people ask

"Judge me, LORD, according to my righteousness, and to my integrity that is in me" (7:8). Is the psalmist saying he has never sinned?

In the text

The psalm doesn't say that, and it doesn't speak of sin in general. Before 7:8 the psalmist's oath names particular things: "if I have done this, if there is iniquity in my hands, if I have rewarded evil to him who was at peace with me" (7:3-4). Then he asks, "Judge me, LORD, according to my righteousness, and to my integrity that is in me" (7:8) (tap righteousness). Another psalm whose title names David prays, "For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me" (Psalm 51:3). Both prayers are in the book of Psalms, and these notes don't choose how they fit together.

The verses

“LORD, my God, if I have done this, if there is iniquity in my hands, if I have rewarded evil to him who was at peace with me (yes, I have plundered him who without cause was my adversary),”
Psalm 7:3-4 · World English Bible
“The LORD administers judgment to the peoples. Judge me, LORD, according to my righteousness, and to my integrity that is in me.”
Psalm 7:8 · World English Bible
“For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.”
Psalm 51:1 · World English Bible
“For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me.”
Psalm 51:3 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 7

Psalm 7: A righteous judge

The psalmist asks to be judged "according to my righteousness" (7:8), and ends giving thanks "according to his righteousness" (7:17): in Hebrew one word, with only its ending changed from my to his. And the mischief the wicked conceives (7:14) is, in Hebrew, the same word as the trouble that comes back on his own head (7:16).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekPsalm 7 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Psalm 7

All questions about Psalms →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions