Today's Featured Psalm
Psalm 57

Read this Psalm

To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.

1 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.
2 I cry out to God Most High,
   to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
3 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 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.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
   Let your glory be over all the earth!

6 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 My heart is steadfast, O God,
   my heart is steadfast!
I will sing and make melody!
   8 Awake, my glory!
Awake, O harp and lyre!
   I will awake the dawn!
9 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
   I will sing praises to you among the nations.
10 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!

Scripture taken from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Psalm Devotional
In the Shadow of Your Wings

As the title of Psalm 57 indicates, David wrote this psalm while on the run from Saul. David took refuge in a cave where he providentially had opportunity to kill Saul. Instead, David cut off a corner of Saul’s robe to prove to his pursuer that he spared his life (1 Sam. 24).

Perhaps this episode suggests a historical explanation for the tune of the psalm, “Do Not Destroy.” In any case, we can reflect on the fact that David described his enemy as fierce (Ps. 57:4) and cunning (v. 6), but he treated his enemy with mercy nonetheless. David, the chief imprecator of the Psalter, was not personally hateful or vindictive. He lived by the commandment of his greater Son, Jesus, who said, “Love your enemies” (Matt. 5:44).

As David took refuge in a cave, he perceived his true refuge to be God. “In the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge” (v. 1). This image depicts God’s care over His people as active, tender, and attentive. The story of Ruth, where the same phrase is used (Ruth 2:12), illustrates the point in yet another setting where challenging circumstances are answered by God’s provision.

Listen to this Psalm

Defender album art Be Merciful to Me, O God (Psalm 57A)
The Book of Psalms for Worship | Defender
Glory album art O Be Exalted High, O God (Psalm 57B)
The Book of Psalms for Worship | Glory