Message Notes

SSS 4 20 November 2022
Book 2
Psalms 42-72

Text: Psalm 57

To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.” A Michtam of David when he fled from Saul into the cave.
1Be 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.

2 I will cry out to God Most High,
To God who performs all things for me.

3 He shall send from heaven and save me;
He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Selah
God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.

4 My soul is among lions;
I lie among the sons of men
Who are set on fire,
Whose teeth are spears and arrows,
And their tongue a sharp sword.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Let Your glory be above all the earth.

6 They have prepared a net for my steps;
My soul is bowed down;
They have dug a pit before me;
Into the midst of it they themselves have fallen. Selah

7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and give praise.

8 Awake, my glory!
Awake, lute and harp!
I will awaken the dawn.

9 I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing to You among the nations.

10 For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens,
And Your truth unto the clouds.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Let Your glory be above all the earth.

Psalm 57:1:11

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

1. Fleeing from Saul

2. Relevant texts
1 Samuel 23-24

a) Saul pursues David with 3000 men

b) David’s flights:

i) Ziph (SE of Hebron; mountain of Judah) 1 Samuel 23:14-29

ii) En Gedi (wilderness of Judah) 1 Samuel 24:1-22

iii) Incident in a cave in En Gedi 1 Samuel 24

iv) In the wilderness of Paran (desert) 1 Samuel 25

v) In the hill of Hachilah (near Ziph) 1 Samuel 26

THE ENEMIES OF DAVID

1. He who would kill (swallow) David

The one who would swallow me up Psalm 57:3b

2. The enemy further described

My soul is among lions;
I lie among the sons of men
Who are set on fire,
Whose teeth are spears and arrows,
And their tongue a sharp sword.

Psalm 57:4

3. The evil plots of the enemy

They have prepared a net for my steps;
My soul is bowed down;
They have dug a pit before me;
Into the midst of it they themselves have fallen

Psalm 57:6

THE PRAYERS OF DAVID

1. Crying out to the LORD

I will cry out to God Most High,
To God who performs all things for me.

Psalm 57:2

2. The plea for divine mercy

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

3. Trust in the LORD

a) Trust of the soul

For my soul trusts in You;

Psalm 57:1b

b) Trust in the shadow of God’s wings (Refuge)

And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,
Until these calamities have passed by.

Psalm 57:1c

c) Trust in God’s deliverance

2 I will cry out to God Most High,
To God who performs all things for me.

3 He shall send from heaven and save me;
He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Selah
God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.

Psalm 57:2-3

i) God will perform all things

ii) He will send help from heaven to save (deliver)

iii) He will reproach the one who would kill

iv) He will send forth His mercy and truth

4. Steadfastness of the heart

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast

Psalm 57:7a

5. Determination to offer praise to God

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Let Your glory be above all the earth.

7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and give praise.

8 Awake, my glory!
Awake, lute and harp!
I will awaken the dawn.

9 I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing to You among the nations.

10 For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens,
And Your truth unto the clouds.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Let Your glory be above all the earth.

Psalm 57:5, 7-11

a) The glory of God

b) The glory of man to reflect the glory of God

c) To sing to God in praise

d) To exalt the LORD

i) His mercy

ii) His truth

iii) His glory