Psalm 57

Reading: Psalm 57 verses 1-11

Ill:

• England’s most famous outlaw, has to be the legendary hero of the 12th-century;

• The courteous, swashbuckling outlaw Robin Hood.

• Who, in modern versions of the legend,

• Is famous for his robbing the rich to feed the poor & fighting against injustice & tyranny.

• He operates with his "seven score"

• (140 strong) group of fellow outlawed yeomen;

• Named the Merry Men for their famed jollity

• Who were based in hideouts in Sherwood Forest and Barnsdale Forest.

• The chief nemesis of the Merry Men is the villainous Sheriff of Nottingham;

• Who is overtaxing the people into poverty,

• And in some tales the villain is Prince John,

• Based on John of England.

In this our last study on King David:

• He like Robin Hood is forced to live as an outlaw (this would last for at least 10 years);

• He is not hiding in Sherwood Forest but in caves (Adullum or En-gedi Judean desert)

• He was not fleeing from prince John of England, but King Saul of Israel;

• A man consumed by jealousy and he is also mentally unstable.

While David was on the run as an outlaw with a price on his head:

• He wrote a couple of Psalms that detail his feelings;

• Psalm 54 and Psalm 142.

• Notice it has a title:

• We can learn three things from the title.

(1). It went to a well known tune.

To the tune of "Do Not Destroy."

• I believe this information is more than just what tune you can sing the song to;

• It is a phrase that is found in other Old Testament scriptures:

• For example in Isaiah chapter 65 verse 8;

• The Lord quotes a song sung by workers in the vineyards:

'As when juice is still found in a cluster of grapes and men say, "Don't destroy it, there is yet some good in it," so will I do on behalf of my servants; I will not destroy them all.'

• Perhaps in Psalm 57, David felt like discarded cluster of grapes;

• After all to King Saul his life has no value.

• Yet, David knows that there is still ‘good in it yet’;

• In other words he reminds his readers (and God) that his life is well worth preserving.

(2). It contains a secret.

• It is called a ‘Miktam’.

• This word's possible meaning of 'hidden' or 'covered',

• It really is apt for David, who at the time was hiding in the cave of Adullam.

• David is literally saying; “When I was secretly hiding, I discovered a secret”.

Quote:

“The difference between private enterprise and government?

The formulas for making Coca-Cola and Kentucky Fried Chicken are still secrets.

Information on how to make a hydrogen bomb can be found in any library”

• David discovered a secret, a ‘Miktam’; only this secret is for sharing!

• And in this Psalm he shares with us that discovery.

(3). It was in a time of conflict.

“When he had to fled from Saul into the cave.”

• It is one of the few psalms that gives us a clear picture;

• Of where David was physically when this Psalm was being written (hiding in a cave)

Ill:

• A telemarketer called a home one day,

• And a small voice whispered, “Hello?”

• “Hello! What’s your name?”

• Still whispering, the voice said, “Jimmy.”

• “How old are you, Jimmy?”

• “I’m four.”

• “Good, Is your mother home?”

• “Yes, but she’s busy.”

• “Okay, is your father home?”

• “He’s busy too.”

• “I see, who else is there?”

• “The police.”

• “The police? May I speak with one of them?”

• “They’re busy.”

• “Any other grown-ups there?”

• “The firemen.”

• “May I speak with a fireman, please?”

• “They’re all busy.”

• “Jimmy, all those people in your house, and I can’t talk with any of them?

• What are they doing?”

• Again Jimmy whispered;

• “Looking for me!”

• Well in Psalm 57:

• David is in hiding & King Saul is out looking for him.

Note:

• Physically David may be hiding in a Cave;

• Spiritually he was hiding in God!

• I want to highlight just four verses from Psalm 57 to illustrate that truth.

• That physically David may be hiding in a Cave; but spiritually he was hiding in God!

(1). The shadow of God's wings (vs1): confidence

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,

for in you my soul takes refuge.

I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings

until the disaster has passed.

Twice in verse 1 David asks God for mercy: