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Day 178

Psalm 57:1a "Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!"

Day 178 – Psalm 57

“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!” Psalm 57:1a

SUPERSCRIPTION

To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do not Destroy.” A Michtam of David when he fled from Saul into the cave.

1. Standard features

Presentation of the Psalm to the Chief Musician.

2. Tune: “Do not Destroy”

Unfortunately we are not able to discover how this tune sounds.

3. A Michtam

The precise meaning of this word is uncertain.

4. Historical setting is disclosed

a) In the reign of King Saul.
b) David was cornered by King Saul and his men and he faced certain death if Saul or any of his soldiers found him

PRAYING WHEN EVERYTHING SEEMS BLEAK AND HOPELESS

We have another glimpse of how David’s faith in God rose to the occasion in Psalm 57. The best thing to do in dire circumstances is to pray and plead for God’s mercy to be bestowed.

“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!
For my soul trusts in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,
Until these calamities have passed by.”
Psalm 57:1

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

a) This is a deep cry for help.
b) The plea for mercy is repeated twice to express focus on the need for mercy.

2. “For my soul trusts in You”

The reason why David prayed at all was because of his faith or trust in God! Faith will move our hearts to cry out to God, believing that He will hear and answer prayer!