Read 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.
Go Deeper
Can our hearts be steadfast when the world around us is not? Can we stand secure in the midst of anything but security? Can we praise God for His deliverance even when we haven’t been fully delivered yet?
If we’re honest, we may not be so sure. But David sure is. David pens today’s psalm from inside a cave where he was seeking a moment of safety among a very real and present danger. King Saul was out to kill him. Enemies were lurking around, looking to destroy David and his family (1 Samuel 22). It’s easy for us to read these words because we know that God preserves David’s life; he eventually becomes King and the threat of Saul is removed. But, for a moment, put yourself in David’s shoes a few thousand years ago. What would you be saying to God in the middle of such a pressing crisis? What would your honest prayer say to the God who had promised to make you King, yet hadn’t fulfilled it yet? When you could hear those seeking to kill you just beyond the cave walls- what would you be doing? How would you be feeling?
Maybe we wouldn’t have responded this way, but David here gives us a roadmap to follow for praising God in the middle of the storm. David doesn’t turn a blind eye to his enemies (he describes them throughout the Psalm), but he doesn’t feed into fear of them, either. David describes the very real danger he’s in, but finds perspective by sandwiching it in the middle of praise to God. He knows that God is in control–even when it doesn’t feel like it. Even though he is finding momentary shelter from a cave, he knows his permanent refuge is found in God alone (v 1). He centers his earthly reality within God’s eternal reality. This world, and what happens to us here, matters. But it doesn’t matter forever. The only thing that matters for all of eternity is God’s salvation, which is why David could praise God for His saving love, even when he hadn’t experienced physical salvation yet.
Too often we wait to praise God until we’ve been rescued. We let our feelings dictate our reality and we feed our fear by dwelling on our earthly problems, instead of God’s eternal promises. Instead, let’s take a play from David’s playbook and feed our faith by remembering the truth of who is in control, regardless of how it feels in the moment. For our hearts to remain steadfast when our circumstances aren’t, we must praise God no matter what.
Questions
- Do you tend to try and ignore your problems or do you dwell on them and feel overwhelmed by them? How should we approach our problems and the difficult things in this life?
- In what ways do you need God to be your refuge right now? How can you cling to His promises today?
- Spend time in prayer and worship so your heart can be steadfast today.
Did You Know?
This Psalm is one of 4 Psalms set to the tune of “Do Not Destroy,” (57, 58, 59, 75). While we don’t know the tune to sing along with it today, each of those psalms declares God’s destruction of the wicked and His salvation of the righteous.
5 responses to “Psalm 57”
Power of life and death in the tongue.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” (Proverbs 18:21, ESV)
“Reckless words pierce like a sword” (Proverbs 12:18)
“we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be” (James 3:9-10).
Fixed and praise
My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. Psalms 57:7 KJV
Fixed meaning confident and steadfast. Unwavering determination is where his heart was. Heart was more than a feeling back in OT times. It was describing affections, thoughts and intentions but also the plans and purposes of your mind. The key to such a mindset is consistency. Even in the worst circumstances of life, when our faith is so small that it’s barely noticeable, God assures us that He is working!
Praise or worship
The act of worship may be singing a song, it may be praying, it may be simply sitting and contemplating the overwhelming presence of God manifest in his creation. It may be reflecting on the beauty and the ugliness of the cross and the transforming reality of an empty tomb. BUT GOD is in the results of this praise or worship.
There are so many messages in this chapter. Hesed love, steadfast never-ending, never failing, unrelentless love of God.
God thank You for today and these minutes of this day. God thank You that I can turn my ugliness of whatever comes my way, into songs of praise for Your glory God. Thank You for helping me watch what I say and my tone of voice as well. God thank You for Your word that helps guide me with encouraging words. Thank You for fixing my heart on You and giving You praise for ALL circumstances. Thank You for being able to reflect on the beauty and ugliness of the cross with all the transforming reality of the empty tomb. BUT YOU GOD are the reason for all the minutes of this day. Thank You for that steadfast hesed love that never ends. Thank You for helping me to feel Your love and to share it with others today in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, the power of the tongue!
7 My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
It is insightful that David, while hiding in a cave, chooses to “sing and make music”. I often in times of distress and worry will turn to music as my “safe space”. Music brings me closer to God on so many different levels.
What’s truly remarkable is David’s assurance in God’s love and faithfulness. Though his circumstance is bleak, I sense that more than he wants deliverance, he desires for God to be exalted (V11). David seems to exchange his temporary plight for the eternal glory God promises to those who love him.
David was surrounded by fear. pressure, and uncertainty, yet he lifted his eyes above his temporary situation and fixed his heart on eternal glory and faithfulness of God.
I relate to that deeply in today’s world. Life still brings stress, disappointment, and battles, but like David, I’m learning not to let my present circumstances define my hope. I remind myself that God’s promises, His love, and His glory are greater than whatever I’m facing right now.