From Prayer To Praise.

FROM PRAYER TO PRAISE.

Psalm 57:1-11.

This is a beautifully crafted Psalm which, according to the title, was written by David ‘when he fled from Saul in the cave.’ The Psalm has two sections: first a prayer (PSALM 57:1-6); then second, praise (PSALM 57:7-11). Each section opens with a repeated phrase: “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me” (PSALM 57:1a); and “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed” (PSALM 57:7a). There is also a refrain: (PSALM 57:5; PSALM 57:11).

1. The Prayer (Psalm 57:1-6).

PSALM 57:1. The Psalmist’s prayer opens with confidence. Unlike the Pharisee, ‘who prayed thus with himself’ (cf. Luke 18:11), he is more akin to the publican, who confessed ‘God be merciful to me THE sinner’ (cf. Luke 18:13). Although the petitions of both the Psalmist and the publican are about themselves, it is the God who is able to “be merciful” who appears centre stage.

Why should God be merciful? Well, because the Psalmist is entirely depending upon God: “my soul trusteth in thee” (PSALM 57:1); “my soul is among lions” (PSALM 57:4); “my soul is bowed down” (PSALM 57:6); but “my heart is fixed (upon thee)” (PSALM 57:7).

In the meantime, what is the Psalmist to do? The believer in distress flies to “the shadow of (God’s) wings,” and there he “makes his refuge” (PSALM 57:1). We put our trust in ‘the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ’ (cf. Ephesians 1:3), in whom alone ‘we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need’ (cf. Hebrews 4:16).

The first mention of his actual distress comes with the assurance that, as we say, ‘this too will pass.’ Thus we read the “until” clause: “until these calamities (this danger of destruction) be over-past” (PSALM 57:1).

PSALM 57:2. In the depths of his despair, the Psalmist reaches upward to “God most high.” Why so? Because the experience of the believer is that it was, and is, and always will be “God that performeth all things for me.” ‘Hitherto hath the LORD helped us’ (cf. 1 Samuel 7:12). ‘For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure’ (cf. Philippians 2:13).

PSALM 57:3. The Psalmist prays expecting an answer. The Psalmist’s assurance is, first, “He shall send from heaven, and save me.” Send from where? “From heaven:” all the resources of which are available to the believer. Save him from what? “From him that would swallow me up.” Save me from the world, the flesh, and the devil! “Selah.” Stop and listen.

Then second, “God shall send forth His mercy and truth.” His mercy to save me, and His truth to confound the enemy of my soul. God’s mercy is seen supremely in the cross of Jesus – who is ‘the way, the TRUTH, and the life’ (cf. John 14:6).

PSALM 57:4. Even in the security of God’s protection, the metaphors of this verse demonstrate that there is still a sense of the very real danger which surrounds the Psalmist.

PSALM 57:5. So he reaches higher in the first occurrence of the refrain: “Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.” It is ‘out of the depths’ (cf. Psalm 130:1) that we make our cry to “God most high” (cf. PSALM 57:2). Whatever is going on, it is all ultimately for God’s glory and our good (cf. Romans 8:28).

PSALM 57:6. Then he ends his complaint with a prophecy of the doom of those who have laid his soul low: that they will themselves fall into “the pit which they have digged” for him. “Selah” offers another opportunity to pause and reflect.

2. Praise (Psalm 57:7-11).

The switch from prayer to praise has been anticipated in earlier verses. It is to “God most high” that the Psalmist has been making his cry (cf. PSALM 57:2). And he desires that God should be “exalted” and that His “glory” should be known (cf. PSALM 57:5).

PSALM 57:7. But now, having made his final complaint (cf. PSALM 57:6), the Psalmist “fixes his heart” on singing and giving praise. The believer’s “heart” – his mind, his will, his affections - is “fixed,” anchored (cf. Hebrews 6:18-19), ‘stayed’ (cf. Isaiah 26:3) upon Jesus, secure in His salvation. A thankful heart will always find an outlet in speaking and singing of the mercies of God.

PSALM 57:8. The believer needs to bestir himself into wakeful praise. Deborah thus stirred herself up to ‘utter a song’ (cf. Judges 5:12). The Psalmist personifies his "psaltery" and "harp," as if he needed to shake them, too, into wakefulness. And his determination is, “I myself WILL awake early.” It is indeed good thus to awaken the dawn with the praise of God.