PS7
Lord, let evil lies
fall back upon them
crush and bury
let the pit of knives
inflict self-harm
and make them wary
10/24/25
(Notes from 9/7/1998) “A Difficult Poem”
When I read this psalm in the ASV, I realized that there were translation difficulties. Comparing with the NKJ, NIV, NAS, RSV etc., I saw how big a problem there was. First of all, verse 4 is interpreted differently in all and, for once, I think the ASV is wrong. It should read, “If I betrayed my ally, delivered his adversary empty-handed.” The other problem for me was vv. 13-17 where the pronouns for God and wicked man are mixed. I needed to see the translation work, and here the ASV was correct but less than clear. The shuwb should read, “repent.” Finally, the introduction concerns a false accusation, not just a report or words.
All this out of the way, I can now apply the psalm. David was falsly accused. I can see his fear, being in the ministry, especially youth ministry, today. Being rightly accused of something is one thing. You repent, ask forgiveness, and work on regaining trust. False accusations are scary. You can’t repent or ask for forgiveness, you must depend on your trust—tarnished by a false accusation—to see you through.
I can also see how God’s judgement is so harshly described here. Anyone among God’s people who slander others deserves harsh judgement. It needs to be harsh to come close to what the innocent suffer at their hands.
God, protect me and my family from the danger of false accusations. Satan will probably try to destroy me that way eventually. Don’t allow him to do so!
(In the years following this journal entry, I experienced some of the craziest attacks from church members seeking to destroy my reputation, ministry, and livelihood. Some were so crazy it was shocking. People who were mad that I was in a ministry position they wanted would make up lies and stories that were so unbelievable it would have been silly if it weren’t so serious. I remember I went on a mission trip and some church members accused me of making up the whole trip and instead taking my family on a vacation with the money raised. In the years that followed, I even face lies and attacks from a pastor I worked for. Sad, really.)
fall back upon them
crush and bury
let the pit of knives
inflict self-harm
and make them wary
10/24/25
(Notes from 9/7/1998) “A Difficult Poem”
When I read this psalm in the ASV, I realized that there were translation difficulties. Comparing with the NKJ, NIV, NAS, RSV etc., I saw how big a problem there was. First of all, verse 4 is interpreted differently in all and, for once, I think the ASV is wrong. It should read, “If I betrayed my ally, delivered his adversary empty-handed.” The other problem for me was vv. 13-17 where the pronouns for God and wicked man are mixed. I needed to see the translation work, and here the ASV was correct but less than clear. The shuwb should read, “repent.” Finally, the introduction concerns a false accusation, not just a report or words.
All this out of the way, I can now apply the psalm. David was falsly accused. I can see his fear, being in the ministry, especially youth ministry, today. Being rightly accused of something is one thing. You repent, ask forgiveness, and work on regaining trust. False accusations are scary. You can’t repent or ask for forgiveness, you must depend on your trust—tarnished by a false accusation—to see you through.
I can also see how God’s judgement is so harshly described here. Anyone among God’s people who slander others deserves harsh judgement. It needs to be harsh to come close to what the innocent suffer at their hands.
God, protect me and my family from the danger of false accusations. Satan will probably try to destroy me that way eventually. Don’t allow him to do so!
(In the years following this journal entry, I experienced some of the craziest attacks from church members seeking to destroy my reputation, ministry, and livelihood. Some were so crazy it was shocking. People who were mad that I was in a ministry position they wanted would make up lies and stories that were so unbelievable it would have been silly if it weren’t so serious. I remember I went on a mission trip and some church members accused me of making up the whole trip and instead taking my family on a vacation with the money raised. In the years that followed, I even face lies and attacks from a pastor I worked for. Sad, really.)
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