Psalms

Psalms 57: God shelters and deserves worldwide praise

Begin in prayer

Before we enter the cave with David's prayer, let us seek the mercy that turns fear into praise. Let us seek shelter through Christ and ask for hearts that desire the glory of God throughout the earth.

For I,’ says Yahweh, ‘will be to her a wall of fire around it, and I will be the glory in the middle of her.

Zechariah 2:5

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that God's mercy shelters His people and His glory deserves praise throughout the earth. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David asks mercy while hiding in a cave during his flight from Saul. He takes refuge beneath God's wings until disaster passes and cries to the Most High who answers his requests. Trusting God to send loving kindness and truth from heaven, he describes hostile men as lions with weapons in their words. His plea rises into a call for God to be exalted above the heavens and all the earth. The enemies fall into their own pit, and David's steadfast heart turns toward singing with lute and harp. He will wake the dawn with thanks among the nations, praising the loving kindness that reaches the heavens and the truth that reaches the skies.

As you read Psalms 57, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God's loving kindness and truth shelter His people and deserve praise among all nations.

David's cave gives the setting, while the shadow of God's wings pictures the deeper refuge on which he depends. The repeated request for mercy places his safety in the Most High God whose shelter outlasts the disaster. Loving kindness and truth are pictured as help sent from heaven to answer the one pursuing him. The lions and sharp weapons describe the danger of men whose words are used to destroy. Even among such threats, David's prayer asks for God's glory to be seen above heaven and throughout the earth. The trap that catches its makers shows the defeat of the schemes that bowed his soul down. His steadfast heart is settled on God, so he calls himself and his instruments awake for praise. Waking the dawn pictures eagerness to begin the day by thanking the Lord among the peoples. The mercy and truth that sheltered him become the reason for praise reaching beyond his own nation.

How does Psalm 57 show us that God's loving kindness and truth shelter His people and deserve praise among all nations?

God's loving kindness and truth shelter His threatened people.

David hides in a cave while Saul pursues him, yet he takes refuge beneath God's wings. He trusts the Most High to send help from heaven. His enemies' trap cannot defeat the mercy on which he relies.

God's glory deserves praise among all nations.

David's desire for God's glory rises while danger still surrounds him. His steadfast heart rouses lute and harp to wake the dawn with song. Loving kindness and truth so great deserve praise beyond the borders of his own people.

Memorise

Be exalted, God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth.

Psalm 57:11

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what has kept me silent about the mercy of Jesus?

From danger David prays, “Let your glory be over all the earth.” His refuge beneath God's wings has turned his heart toward praise among the nations. The loving kindness and truth that shelter him are too great to keep unspoken.

Our sin has withheld the honour that belongs to God. At the cross Jesus gave His life for His people, bearing the punishment of their rebellion as their substitute. He was raised to life. Forgiveness and everlasting welcome are fully secured for His people through the offering He made once for all.

Turn from sin and trust Jesus. He forgives all who come to Him. Bring Him the fear or indifference that has silenced your praise, and ask for a heart settled on His mercy. Those who belong to Him may seek His glory through their troubles and speak His praise wherever He places them.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God's mercy shelters His people and His glory deserves praise throughout the earth. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for the loving kindness and truth that shelter His people and deserve praise in every nation. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Jesus said these things, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you;

John 17:1

Most High God, Your loving kindness reaches the heavens and Your truth the skies. Please bring us to Jesus for mercy through His completed sacrifice. Settle our hearts on You in trouble, and awaken our praise. Help Your people speak of Your glory among the nations, and teach our family to honour You throughout this week. Amen.