Psalm 57, The Message

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.

^1-3 Be good to me, God—and now!
    I’ve run to you for dear life.
I’m hiding out under your wings
    until the hurricane blows over.
I call out to High God,
    the God who holds me together.
He sends orders from heaven and saves me,
    he humiliates those who kick me around.
God delivers generous love,
    he makes good on his word.

⁴ I find myself in a pride of lions
    who are wild for a taste of human flesh;
Their teeth are lances and arrows,
    their tongues are sharp daggers.

⁵ Soar high in the skies, O God!
    Cover the whole earth with your glory!

⁶ They booby-trapped my path;
    I thought I was dead and done for.
They dug a mantrap to catch me,
    and fell in headlong themselves.

^7-8 I’m ready, God, so ready,
    ready from head to toe,
Ready to sing, ready to raise a tune:
    “Wake up, soul!
Wake up, harp! wake up, lute!
    Wake up, you sleepyhead sun!”

^9-10 I’m thanking you, God, out loud in the streets,
    singing your praises in town and country.
The deeper your love, the higher it goes;
    every cloud is a flag to your faithfulness.

¹¹ Soar high in the skies, O God!
    Cover the whole earth with your glory!

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Even while running and hiding from the enemy, do we realize we are never alone?

Background:  David wrote Psalm 56 when the Philistines captured him in Gath (see 1Samuel 21:10–15 for the full story). He wrote Psalm 57 while hiding in a cave.  David nearly always begins with his distressed cries for help—seeing only his reality; but then he also ends his songs with praise to God who is real, who is truth, and who never leaves or forsakes him in battle with enemy giants and kings.  Get this—

When David pauses to talk with God he realized God’s realty and Truth—David is not alone.  God is trustworthy. He is a rock, a hiding place, a fortress. God loves, leads, shelters us then sends us back into battle with evil by His power working within us that also serves to build our faith!  Yes, there is no one like our God!

It’s time for us to awaken our souls to this truth about God:  We have safety and comfort in Him who never leaves us with a love that is relentless and never changes for us! This is the reality in which we live as believers. Is we do not and rely on our power and control; we are mere chums of fresh bait to the sharks of evil who do not know God.

We all can relate to David in the cave.  We can almost hear the echo of David’s sweet voice singing quietly to God in desperation; “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” (Psalm 57:1, NIV). 

Our response:  When life gets hard, let us look to our refuge and Deliverer—God through Jesus Christ, His Son.  Jesus told his disciples then and speaks truth to us now; “in this world you will have trouble; but relax, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) The reality of a True Believer in Jesus we are never alone. We will have troubles but we have a Savior and Lord who is already at work on our behalf because He is the Victor over all circumstances, roadblocks, and obstacles in the way for all who put all their faith in Him call on His Name! 

A favorite gospel song of my childhood which still come to mind when I am worried over the things of this life is “Just a Little talk with Jesus makes it Right”.  My “little talk” happens daily.  (Romans 12:1-2) How long the talk and listen takes depends on how worried I am and how long it takes for me to surrender my will to God’s will!  Either way, the chorus speaks truth;

“Now let us have a little talk with Jesus
   Let us tell Him all about our troubles
   He will hear our faintest cry
   He will answer by and by
   Now when you feel a little prayer wheel turning
   And you know a little fire is burning
   You will find a little talk with Jesus makes it right…”

Lord,

Thank you for David and other songwriters who praise you with Truth!  In a world of lies, letdowns, and putdowns, it is so refreshing to hear from you what is real and right. Thank you for your love beyond all measure!  I’m yours and I’m listening.  Transform my life to be more like you in every way.

In Jesus Name, Amen