DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

The context of this Psalm is that David is hiding in a cave while fleeing from Saul. Why is that important information to know as you study this Psalm?
David demonstrates an extreme amount of confidence in the LORD in verses 2-3. Why is he so confident? What are some promises given to us in the Bible that we can stand confidently on?
In verses 4-6, verse 5 seems out of place. This teaches us the truth that it’s possible to praise God even in the midst of hardships. Do you find this to be true of your life? Do you long for God to be exalted even in the midst of despair?
This Psalm starts with a plead and ends with praise. How should David’s praise at the end of this Psalm shape our praise today?

TEXT:

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!

SERMON MANUSCRIPT

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

The phrase, ‘To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy’ is interesting. You’ll find this phrase in Psalms 57-59. No one knows exactly what this phrase means here. But, it appears to signify the tune or melody in which this psalm was to be sung.

Similarly, no one is sure what a ‘miktam’ is either. But, it’s a term attributed to six of David’s psalms, Psalm 16 and Psalms 56-60. It could simply be a technical term that guides the singers, similar to the phrase “Do Not Destroy.” We don’t know. However, due to its closeness to the word ‘katham,’ which means “an engraving,” some believe this could be a term that highlights its long-term value. It’s a psalm worthy of being stamped and engraved upon tablets for long-term preservation. This Psalm has gone platinum, if you will.

We don’t know for sure what those two terms and phrases mean. But we do know the historical context of this Psalm. David penned this Psalm while he was in a cave fleeing from Saul. So, let’s do a quick little history lesson before we dive into this psalm.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Israel, looking at their neighboring countries, wanted a king. They had rejected the Lord as their king and wanted their own. The LORD, being the merciful God he is, granted their request, anointing and appointing Saul as their king.

Things went well for a short time. Through Saul, the LORD defeated their enemies. But then, we see Saul disobey the LORD by making an unlawful sacrifice, taking matters into his own hands.

Samuel says to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the LORD your God, with which he commanded you. For then,the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now, your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be prince over his people because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.”

So, if Saul had obeyed God, his kingdom would have extended forever. But, because he disobeyed God, his kingdom would end. God shut the door on Saul’s kingship and opened the door for another king in the future. God would establish the kingdom of another forever.

Fast-forward some more time, and Saul, still functioning as king, was commanded by the LORD to strike down Amalek and devote everything to destruction, not sparing any of them. Saul went and took over the land but spared the best of the sheep and oxen. This angers the LORD, leading to him saying through Samuel, “Why did you not obey the voice of the LORD?… The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you.”

Following this, we see the LORD send Samuel to anoint a new king from the line of Jesse the Bethlehemite. The LORD then anoints David, the youngest son, who was out attending to the sheep. He was young, ruddy, and handsome. It says, "The Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward.”

Not long after this, the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and he became tormented by a harmful spirit. In response, one of Saul’s servants recommended that someone play the lyre to help soothe him whenever the spirit tormented him. David was the one recommended. He came to Saul, played for him, and found favor in Saul's sight. Whenever a harmful spirit from God visited Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand, and Saul was soothed. Saul loved David, allowing him to become his armor-bearer.

Fast-forward some more time, and the Philistines gathered their armies for battle. They had a champion named Goliath, who was about 9ft tall. Goliath challenged Saul to find someone to come down and battle him. If Saul’s warrior won, the Philistines would be their servants. If Goliath won, they would become the Philistine's servants.

This caused Saul and all of Israel to become greatly afraid. David, however, was not scared. He said to Saul, “Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God. The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

David defeats Goliath with a stone and a slingshot, leading him to take Goliath's sword and chop off his head, causing the Philistines to flee in fear. This was a pinnacle moment in Israel’s history. God’s people celebrated and rejoiced.

Saul kept David with him, and they returned to Saul’s home. As they were journeying home, the women of the cities would come out and celebrate, singing, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”

This angered Saul, and he became jealous of David. From that day forth, Saul kept his eye on David, and from chapters 18 through (essentially) the rest of 1 Samuel, we find story after story of Saul seeking to kill David. In this pursuit to kill David, you see David hiding in a cave multiple times (1 Sam. 22, 24). In both instances, you find David escapes from Saul's hand.

In chapter 24, for example, you find Saul chasing after David. And, as he’s going after David, he unknowingly goes into the very cave David is in to go to the bathroom. This presents David with an opportunity to kill Saul. As all of David’s men seek to persuade David to kill Saul, David sneakily cuts off Saul’s robe. But, then he’s convicted and says, “The LORD forbid me that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD’s anointed.”

Saul finishes his business and leaves the cave. David follows and yells out (paraphrase), “Hey, Saul! I could have killed you. But I didn’t. I’m here for your good. I won’t kill you. So, why are you trying to kill me?”

Saul cries, saying, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil.”

Saul then goes home, and David goes up to his stronghold.

WALKING WITH JESUS INTO TRIALS

This is the context of Psalm 57. David is being pursued not because of his sin but because of his righteousness. Saul is seeking to kill David because God’s hand is on David.

Why do I share that?

I share that because it teaches us that sometimes we will experience hardships, not because of our sins but our righteousness. Sometimes, we will be pursued by the wicked strictly because of our allegiance to Jesus. Not all lamenting is caused by our shortcomings.

We see this demonstrated in no one better than Jesus. Saul's jealous spirit foreshadows the religious leaders' spirit during Jesus’ time. Like David, Jesus was pursued and crucified, not because of his guilt but because of his blamelessness. In the words of 2 Timothy 3:12, “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” If the word hated Jesus, it will hate you.

So, we cannot always let our external circumstances gauge our Christian faithfulness. Some trials can be acts of judgment against our sins or direct results of our sins. But not every storm is an act of judgment against us. Some trials can simply be a sanctifying attack against God’s holy people, the rain God uses to water the grass of our souls, making us more like Jesus.

So, let this be water to our souls today. Righteousness is not always celebrated, nor is it always rewarded, by the world. Sometimes, it’s hated and attacked.

But the beauty of this psalm is that even when we’re hated for our allegiance to Jesus, God is still with us. You may walk in step with the Holy Spirit and walk right into a storm. God rides with us into the storm; he is our shelter in the rain. We are not alone.

WE ARE SAFE WITH GOD

Let’s dive in.

“[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.”

This Psalm begins with a cry for mercy. As David is surrounded by those seeking to kill him, he cries out to God for mercy. Mercy is an act of compassion. The heart of a Christian understands that they never outgrow their need for mercy. Mercy is what we need when we’re guilty, and mercy is what we need when we’re blameless. Mercy is what we need when the sun is shining, and mercy is what we need when the rain falls. We need mercy in the morning, and we need mercy in the evening. We never outgrow our need for God’s mercy. David asks God to act compassionately as his soul takes refuge in him.

Now, the imagery here is beautiful.

In the midst of a great storm, a tiny chick is helpless. But nestled under its mother's wing, it finds safety. In the same way, David’s soul finds refuge under the LORD’s wing in the storm of destruction. We are safest with God. In moments when we feel like we’re surrounded by despair or hated for our allegiance to Jesus, there is always great hope in the LORD. In moments when we’re tempted to believe that disobedience to God might provide safety and blessings that obedience cannot, we must remember that we are safest with God. All who find refuge in the LORD are blessed.

The New Testament consistently talks about how Christians are “in Christ.” Those who have trusted in Jesus are now “in Christ,” and those who are in Christ are safe. Your soul is safe in Jesus. You are covered by his wings, and your salvation is secure.

GOD’S PURPOSE IN ME

David then says, “I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.” The God David is crying out to is the God who fulfills his purpose for David. David is fully dependent upon God. He trusts God for his present deliverance and future blessing, knowing that God fulfills his purpose for him. The term “fulfill” is a term of completion and finality. David’s words here assume God will bring to completion his purpose for his life.

So, what was God’s purpose for David?

Well, in a general sense, God created David (like he’s created us) for His glory. What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and to enjoy him forever! God made David for the purpose of glorifying God throughout his life, and God has created you for you to bring him glory in your day-to-day life!

But, in a much more specific case, God had created, called, and anointed David for the purpose of him being the king of Israel! I believe this is what David is alluding to here. God has chosen and anointed David to be king of Israel. Yet, at this moment, David finds himself in a cave, running from the king of Israel. He’s waiting to become king as he’s fleeing from the king. And as he’s running, he’s remembering God’s promise. He trusts that God will be faithful in completing the work he began in him.

Church, we, too, find ourselves in a similar place today. Like David, God has given us promises that are not yet fulfilled in Christ. We look ahead to a day when we will be with God forever in perfect harmony. And, as we do so, we cling to the fact that God will complete the good work he began in us. We are saved by grace through faith, and we are being saved by grace through faith, and we will be saved by grace through faith. The most high God is the one who fulfills his purpose for our lives.

CONFIDENCE IN GOD

In remembering God’s promises, David then says, “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!”

Notice the language of assurance. David wasn’t questioning God’s ability to save, nor was he questioning his willingness to save. God will send help. God will save. God will put to shame his enemies. God will send out his steadfast love. God will send out his faithfulness. David was confident the LORD would do a work he, himself, couldn’t do, and he was confident the LORD would do the work he had promised to do. God cannot lie. It’s out of the realm of possibilities for him. So, it’s not cocky and foolish to stand confidently on the promises of God. It is wise and reasonable to stand upon the promises of God. God will be faithful to do what he says he will do.

Now, here’s what’s beautiful about David’s words here. On more than one occasion, David had opportunities to defeat Saul with his own sword. But, each time, he refrained. In the cave, he said, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD’s anointed.” Later, as Saul seeks to destroy David again, David finds Saul’s camp and is presented with another opportunity to kill Saul while he sleeps. Yet, David says, “Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless? As the LORD lives, the LORD will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish. The LORD forbid that I should put out my hand against the LORD’s anointed.”

David’s life aligned with his song. He practiced what he preached, lived what he sang, and fully relied upon the LORD to fight his battle. When persecution arises, we don’t have to take matters into our own hands. When we are hurt because of our allegiance to Jesus, we don’t have to repay evil for evil. When we are wronged, we don’t have to avenge ourselves. Instead, we bless those who persecute us. When the enemy surrounds us, we can trust that God will fight our battles. With total dependence upon God, we can seek to do what’s right, even when it’s difficult.

PRAISE IN THE STORM

David then says, “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.”

Notice the contrast in language here in verse 5. Wedged in the middle of David describing the dangerous attacks of the enemy, he praises God.

Friends, you’re invited to worship in the storm. It’s possible to praise in despair, and you’re allowed to praise in the face of persecution. The unique heart posture of the Christian is a willingness to praise in the midst of calamity. We can praise in the midst of the storm because we know that God is with us. We can exalt God because we know nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Is this true of you today? Are you eager to exalt God even when your soul is in the pit? Are you eager to lift him up while your soul is bowed down?

PLEADS THAT LEAD TO PRAISE

David then says, “My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! Awake, my glory! 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. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!”

In the cave, David’s heart is filled with praise. When he starts pleading for mercy, he concludes by shouting God’s praise! Something awoke within him! This is the economics of prayer: when we go to the LORD asking, we often leave praising. As we fix our eyes upon the cross, we are reminded of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. Therefore, we cry out, “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!”