The setting for Psalm 57, given in the heading, tells us that this Psalm shares David’s anguish when Saul pursued him in order to kill him. David hid in a cave. You can read the story in I Samuel 21-24. David shares his anguish and concern with God, and he also shares his trust in and praise of God. It’s a very good lesson for all of us.
David recognizes the dire situation in which he finds himself. He also boldly states his trust that God is merciful, provides refuge, vindicates, and is worthy of praise. It is interesting to me how David brings together both his anguish and his acknowledgement of God’s goodness in his response. He trusts God. He praises God. He worships God. In acknowledging his own position and then acknowledging God’s character and goodness (“your love and faithfulness”), David’s resulting response is trust and praise.
I’m not being chased by an enemy who wants to kill me. I never have been nor do I expect I ever will be. But I have known enemies, problems, and challenges that consume me, make me worry, fret, and become anxious. I’ve tried to address these things with my own strength and my own way of thinking. It hasn’t worked. But when I acknowledge my position in the situation and remember God’s character and goodness, my response changes to one of trust. Then I am able to worship and praise God because He knows the way forward that I do not.
Perhaps one of the best ways for you and for me to acknowledge our position and trust in God is to speak the words from this Psalm in prayer. For today, I encourage us to focus purposefully on this repeated phrase from the Psalm: “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.”