I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. (Psalm 7:17)

Names of God occur in various permutations; in our verse (and in Psalm 97:9,) occurs God’s formal, personal name “Yahweh” tagged with “Elyon,” which translated means “the most high.” Technically we could say the psalm writer is simply expressing his highest regard for God. However, theology is never forged in a bland, academic vacuum. There is context; there is a story behind his exclamation.

This poem by David was turned into a song for Israel’s worship; it provides God’s people a rehearsal of a godly man’s response to the feeling of being harassed and fearful. As with many Christian hymns and songs, we repeat great truths frequently to remind ourselves how we too should act in similar circumstances. As the apostle Paul writes, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col 3:16). David teaches and admonishes us that we can take refuge in God because He is the LORD Most High.

Can we not all relate to his opening line? “O LORD my God, in You I have taken refuge” (Ps 7:1). One does not turn to God for refuge when one can defend oneself. And what better place can one turn for refuge than the Most High? While the real possibility of physical harm begets the desire for physical protection, our inner fears are too often what drive us. It’s at that level David writes. If the physical harm resulted from God’s justice for David’s own evil behavior, then the consequences would be justified, and David would accept that (Ps 7:3-5). However, that is not the case, at least that David is aware of, so he calls upon the God in whom he has taken refuge.

What he calls for is vindication, as one who has lived a righteous life. “My shield is with God, who saved the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge, and a God who has indignation every day” (Ps 7:19-11). God will bring appropriate, or teleonic, justice to those who do evil: “He has dug a pit and hollowed it out, and has fallen into the hole which he made. His mischief will return upon his own head…” (Ps 7:15–16).

So David, and we along with him, can be thankful that the God we worship and follow is far above all unrighteousness. Everything will have its just consequences, and those consequences will be eternally appropriate.

Lord, I don’t need to fear when I am being harassed, because I have taken refuge in Your righteousness. Therefore, I praise You as the LORD Most High.