Articles
God's Mercy and His Truth-Psalm 57
GOD'S MERCY AND HIS TRUTH
---- PSALM FIFTY-SEVEN
"Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth. My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth. They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah. My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations. For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth." (Psalm 57:1-11)
Psalm 57 was likely written concerning a time when David fled from Saul and hid in a cave. (1 Samuel 24:1-12) David and his men hid in a cave in the wilderness of Engedi. At this time David could have easily killed Saul but he did not because he respected him as God's anointed. Instead of taking his refuge in a cave David literally took his refuge in God. He pleaded for God's mercy and truth to be shown unto him. He found protection in the shadow of God's wings. David directed his cry to the only one who could help; he prayed to the Most High God. He asked God to deliver him from King Saul who was treating him in a harsh and unfair manner.
Praise and trust for God in times of trouble -- Psalm 57:1-6: David viewed God as "God Most High." He saw God as a God of mercy to whom he could run in time of trouble. He could find safety and protection under the shadow of God's wings. He would remain there until the danger passed. He offered his prayers to God for protection. David knew that God was faithful and could be trusted; he knew that God would send forth His mercy and His truth. His attackers, thou they were wicked and strong, would not be allowed to succeed. He prayed for God's glory to be exalted above all the wicked.
Praise to God for His mercy -- Psalm 57:7-11: David felt beset by people who like lions were set on devouring him. However, God rescued him from the midst of these "lions." He did not doubt that God would come to his rescue. Past blessings from God prompted him to sing and praise Him in the face of present troubles. David wanted to use everything within him and he wanted to use every opportunity he had to praise God. David's praise to God was not just private. He said, "I will praise you, Lord, for everyone to hear, and I will sing hymns to you in every nation." He praised God because of His compassionate care, His steadfast love, His truth and His mercy. The psalm concluded in Psalm 57:11 with a repeating of Psalm 57:5. "Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth." David desired that God be honored above the heavens and that His glory be seen everywhere on earth.
Let those who are faithful keep on praising God for His love, truth and faithfulness even in the midst adversity. Our heart must rely upon God. Let us confidently lean upon Him. He will help His people. Are you His child? To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus as the Christ (Mark 16:16), repent of all sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized for remission of sins. (Acts 2:38) After baptism remain faithful to God. (Revelation 2:10) We will not accidentally end up in heaven. Heaven is too great and too glorious to miss. It will be beyond our greatest expectation.
By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, P.O. Box 551, Greenville, Alabama 36037 USA
Share Online
