PSALM 57

PSALM 57 - Praise and Assurance under Persecution.

1.  Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,

    for in thee my soul takes refuge;

    in the shadow of thy wings I will take refuge,

    till the storms of destruction pass by.

David wrote this psalm about the time he hid in a cave while being pursued by king Saul. He prayed for God's mercy and protection. David's response to fear is to pursue God, growing closer and trusting Him even more.

God was his refuge and protection from evil. David had faith and his soul trusted God as his only hope.

• The "shadow of thy-(God') wings"- also to be understood as a mother bird protecting her young. This would be especially true during a storm, where her wings would provide shelter against wind and rain.
• Those who rely on the Lord are assured that nothing can separate them from God's love. God is our Refuge in all times.

2.  I cry to God Most High,

    to God who fulfils his purpose for me.

David cried out to God for God alone could save him from evil. As David prays for safety, he acknowledges the Lord's absolute power and authority. David's life is the result of God's will. David’s prayer reflected his humility before God.

• We must pray for God to Deliver us from Evil. God will protect us when we do His will.
• We should be confident that God will fulfill His will for us.

3.  He will send from heaven and save me,

    he will put to shame those who trample upon me. Selah.

    God will send forth his steadfast love and his faithfulness!

While still threatened, David proclaimed in confidence that God would save him. David could profess God’s faithfulness to keep His Word based upon the many times when God rescued David and kept His promises.

David was confident that God from heaven would rescue him from Saul, that God would take care of him from his enemies.

Faced with great fear, David chose God as the anchor for his hope. He relied on the steadfast love of God.

• God is faithful to keep His Word.

4.  I lie in the midst of lions

    that greedily devour the sons of men;

    their teeth are spears and arrows,

    their tongues sharp swords.

David trusted God alone to deliver him from evil. Though his words here describe danger, there is no despair and no sound of haste.

Daniel, in the Old Testament, faced persecution. He was thrown into a den of hungry lions. The Lord kept Daniel alive, and he testified, "My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not hurt me" (Daniel 6:22).

• When faced with a trial, lean not on your understanding, turn to God alone and trust Him to deliver you from evil.
• We as Christians, experience attacks from the world and the Devil. Yet as believers we can rely on God's love and kindness, knowing the Lord provides strength to resist the Devil, the roaring lion.

5.  Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!

    Let thy glory be over all the earth!

David trusted God in all circumstances of life and in everything he gave thanks. David gave thanks for God’s deliverance from evil even before the outcome of his trial was known to him. David was confident in the Lord's Promises.

• Be thankful in all things. Be Grateful for God’s Faithfulness.
• The first thing in the morning, thank God. The last thing of the day, thank God. This will remind you and me that God is always in control.
• Danger might bring out fear, but we have to respond to fearful moments in thankful - faith.

6.  They set a net for my steps;

    my soul was bowed down.

    They dug a pit in my way,

    but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah.

Despite danger, David praises God. He mentions how his opponent's set traps for him, hoping to catch him in a moment when he is vulnerable. 

David continued persevering through every trial with trust in God. And God allowed him to suffer so that he would grow deeper in His faith of God.

King Sauls attempts to kill David, had left David anxious and fearful of the attacks. David mentions that the evil intents of others have turned into their own downfall.  

• God’s grace will strengthen us to endure trials of any kind. Remember trials produce perseverance.

7.  My heart is steadfast, O God,

    my heart is steadfast!

    I will sing and make melody!

God allowed suffering in David’s life. God wanted a humble David, who would understand what it is to trust in the Lord and to suffer in patience.

David’s worship during his darkest hour showed his reliance on God. Although he may not have realized why God was allowing him to suffer, he did understand what God wanted from his suffering.

David is confident in God's rescue, and he sings to Praise God.

• Trust in the Lord leads to thankfulness and praise.
• We need to Glorify God in and through our lives.
• God is faithful to keep His promises.

8.  Awake, my soul!

    Awake, O harp and lyre!

    I will awake the dawn!

For David it must have been difficult to sleep, especially knowing that his enemy was around the corner. He would have felt the pressure and yet, David resolves with his entire heart to faithfully praise and sing to God.

• Greet GOD every morning with joyful praise. Sing Praises to God, with thankfulness in your heart as David did. 
• It is good to give thanks to the LORD. And to sing praises; to declare His goodness in the morning and His faithfulness by night.

9.  I will give thanks to thee, O Lord among the peoples;

    I will sing praises to thee among the nations.

David vows to praise the Lord in the presence of others, trusting and knowing that God will rescue him from his current danger. He resolves to proclaim God among peoples and nations.

• No matter good or bad, turn to God with praise.

10. For thy steadfast love is great to the heavens,

    thy faithfulness to the clouds.

David indicates that God's merciful consistency towards His people is beyond measure.

• Steadfast love refers to God's enduring-faithful-patient love, and care for His people.
• The intensity of Gods amazing love for humanity is in HIS supreme sacrifice of HIS Only Son our Lord Jesus Christ.
• In your worship, fix your eyes on the Crucified Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
• God' love is Everlasting.

11. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!

    Let thy glory be over all the earth!

David calls for the Lord's praise to spread all over the world.

• David's confident trust in the most difficult times, shows how we as believers can endure trials with a grateful - Joyful heart filled with Love and Praise of God.
• GIVE PRAISE TO HIS HOLY NAME!

Note:

The Promise 18 September 2012, 1313
The Promise 19 September 2012, 1313
The Promise 20 September 2012, 1313
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[57]                                          FrJodmanP, FrCG & FrRT.

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