Psalms Reading – 2.22.2022
Psalm 57
For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. When he had fled from Saul into the cave.
1 Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
2 I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me.
3 He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me—
God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.
3 He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me—
God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.
4 I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
6 They spread a net for my feet—I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path— but they have fallen into it themselves.
They dug a pit in my path— but they have fallen into it themselves.
7 My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
8 Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.
8 Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.
9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
The historical backdrop is likely the episode in 1 Samuel 22:1-2, “David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him.”
As David was on the run, God provided others to join him. As Jesus attracted and welcomed society’s outsiders, so did David. He provided them leadership, and they were God’s answer to David’s many prayers asking for help, salvation, and support.
This song reveals this very troubling time in which David, once again, finds himself, but it does not keep him from singing, “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.”
The second half of the psalm speaks of his enemies’ defeat. The very traps they set for David were the ones they fell into. This is often the way of judgment. We reap what we sow. If not now, one day in eternity for certain. Unless, of course, we have repented of our sin and been redeemed by our Lord Jesus Christ.
David keeps speaking to God that his heart is steadfast and that his soul should be awakened because he will praise and sing to the Lord throughout the nations. God’s love and faithfulness are extensive and limitless so David finishes with the refrain that he spoke earlier, “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.”
Even in the most troubling times, David’s deepest heart desire was to trust and praise God because he was certain of God’s love and faithfulness. Are we?
Memory Verse: Psalm 56:3, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
Question(s) to Consider: If we truly believe that God’s love and faithfulness have no limits, how will we put our trust in God in our present situation? What words of praise will you offer God?