Day 1186: The soul's refuge - Psalm 57

To the choirmaster, according to ‘Do not destroy’. A Miktam of David when he fled from Saul at the cave.

1-3 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness 4-6 My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts - the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth! They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my way, but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah

7-10 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! Awake, my glory! (or, my whole being) Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. 11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2057&version=ESVUK

The heading of this Psalm says that it was by “David, when he fled from Saul in a cave”. It's probably referring to the time when he fled from Saul to Achish the king of Gath. (1 Samuel 21:10) After feigning madness there, he escaped to the cave of Adullam. I said at the time that it looked as if he was looking more to men for protection from Saul. But, according to this Psalm, who was David really looking to for help in his time of great need? (vs 1-3)

He was looking to God, and asking that the Lord would show him mercy. He says that his soul found refuge in Him, and in the shadow of His wings. It was a poetical way of describing God's faithfulness. David felt he was in a storm, and only God could shelter him. What was the danger he was facing? (vs 4-6)

He speaks of men whose teeth were as as sharp as arrows and swords. It may have been the servants of Achish who were warning the king, and saying that this was the same David of whom it was said ‘Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands’?” That would not have been a passing comment. David would have seen them whispering, and the anger in their eyes. He knew that his life was hanging by a thread. Yet what do we find David doing in the midst of all his turmoil and fears. (vs 7-10)

Just as Paul and Silas prayed, and sang hymns at midnight in the prison at Philippi, so David too, in this dark hour of his life, sang the praises of God. “Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.”

David realized that God's glory was greater than his problem. Twice in this Psalm we read the words “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth.” Many, many years later, Jesus would teach His disciples to pray for God's name to be hallowed, and for His kingdom to come, and His will to be done in all the earth just as it was done in heaven.

There are many situations that can cause Christians to flee. The apostle Peter said that “our adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. But we must resist him, firm in our faith, and we should cast all our anxieties on the Lord, because He cares for us!” (1 Peter 5:7-8) So may we always seek refuge for our soul under the shadow of God's wings. And, like David, may we sing God's praise even in testing situations.