“A PSALMIST’S CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S PROTECTION” PSALM 57:1-11

The superscription of this wonderful psalm reads, “To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.” The word “Altaschith” means “destroy not” and the word “Michtam” could mean to “cover or protect.” So, the occasion for David’s writing of Psalm 57 would be during a time David was hiding from Saul in a cave, possibly the cave of Adullam. During David’s cave experience, he meditated on the exalted attributes of God; and because of God’s faithfulness, David knew that God would aid him in any crisis.

In verses 1-3, David begins this blessed psalm by crying out earnestly for God’s help. He literally cries out for God’s mercy as he found protection in the shadow of God’s wings until his troubles pass (v. 1). David was extremely confident that God would deliver him from his enemies because of His steadfast love and trustworthiness as he states, “He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. God shall send forth His mercy and His truth” (v. 3).

Despite a plea for God’s help, David reveals the destructive behavior of his enemies. His enemies’ behavior displayed that they wanted to destroy David (v. 4). David was surrounded by those who desired to humiliate him. In verse 5, David discloses his desire for God’s intervention in bringing about the defeat of his enemies. Although David’s enemies sought to capture him in their destructive schemes, David anticipates that they will be captured by their own schemes as he states, “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.” (v. 6).

In verses 7-11, assured of the fact that God would defeat his enemies, David affirms, “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise” (v. 7).

David ends this psalm by extolling the character of God, for verses 9-11 say “I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations. For thy mercy is great unto heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let they glory be above all the earth.”

As believers in this dispensation of grace, it is a gracious privilege to praise our God because He is so worthy, for Psalm 113:1-3 state, “Praise ye the Lord, Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised.” Praise Him!

May God Bless!