The Psalm 57 naturally follows the circumstances related in the 56th. After David fled from the Philistines he sought refuge in Adullam’s Cave (1st Samuel 22:1). This place became a great rallying point where David’s supporters, including his family, converged under his banner.

I imagine, however, that before his friends congregated and David was alone in the darkness and emptiness of the cave he had a special experience with God. As he was alone in his thoughts, having failed through casting himself upon the Philistines, having been brought to an end of all his own resources, having learned that God will never fail – the LORD met with his servant. At the cave David did more than physically hide. Like the hymn writer he found a place of refuge in the shadow of God’s hand.

ABIDING UNDER GOD’S WINGS

Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me:
for my soul trusteth in thee:
yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge,
until these calamities be overpast.

Psalm 57:1

David began with a plea for mercy, as he did so he expressed his confidence in the Lord, abiding under His wings. Like the cave, wings are a hiding place but they are infinitely more comforting.

The wings of God may be a reference to the mercy seat, which was shadowed by the wings of the golden cherubs. This represented the cherubim which dwell in the immediate presence of God’s glory veiling their faces. They look down at the mercy seat because this covers the law which man has broken. The mercy seat was sprinkled once a year with the blood of beasts to make atonement for the sins of Israel. Therefore the shadow of the wings was in the place of mercy and forgiveness. Whatever our pain and our struggle we are constantly abiding in the place of mercy because of the shedding of Christ’s blood; therein is our greatest and most profound comfort.

The wings of God also refer to parental protection. As a mother hen covers her chicks, willing to die herself that they might be saved, so we are covered by God as our father, whose Son laid down His life for us. There is sweet intimacy and assurance in the place of divine protection because our lives are hidden with Christ in God.

David in his fleeing had gone to the priests with disastrous consequences. he had fled to the Philistines and escaped within an inch of his life. Now in the cave he was learning to rest in the Lord and his unfailing redemptive love.

Here he would remain until the calamities had passed. He would not always remain in the cave but his soul would never leave the wings of God.

PRAYING BECAUSE GOD PROMISES

I will cry unto God most high;
unto God that performeth all things for me.
He shall send from heaven, and save me
from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah.
God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.

Psalm 57:2-3

As David hid himself under the shadow of God’s wings he was reminded that God would perform all things for him. While the enemy attempted the swallow him up, the Lord would remember that David was an anointed servant.

I like manner we have been anointed by the Holy Spirit as those who are on a covenant relationship with God. This covenant will never be broken; we will be preserved by His mercy.

It has been pointed out by several commentators that the word “perform” means to perfect. God’s way is perfect and His paths are right. His perfect will for us will never be thwarted.

TRUSTING IN GOD’S GLORY

My soul is among lions:
and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows,
and their tongue a sharp sword.
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let thy glory be above all the earth.

Psalm 57:4-5

David also was comforted by the glory of God. Jehovah would not permit the enemy to triumph because that would detract from God’s honour.

FIXATED UPON GOD’S PRAISES

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. Selah.
My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed:
I will sing and give praise.
Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp:
I myself will awake early.
I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people:
I will sing unto thee among the nations.
For thy mercy is great unto the heavens,
and thy truth unto the clouds.
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens:
let thy glory be above all the earth.

Psalm 56:6-11

The Psalm ends with a wondrous crescendo of praise and thanksgiving. David’s heart was not fixed upon Saul or the Philistines but the praises of God. Even though the days were dark and dangerous the Psalmist, as a result of his meditations upon God’s person and His promises, was able to sing in the cave. Oh to hear David – alone in the bowels of the earth, alone in this world yet not alone because God was with him – singing praises. A heart fixed upon God. He sleeps in the cave but then he awakes early plucking his harp making music – what confidence in adversity! Is it any wonder that people hazarded all to rally under David’s cause. Saul’s was a lost cause and well the King knew it. He was morose and dejected. But David despite his material disadvantage was triumphant. This is the power of faith at work.

A fixed heart doesn’t fluctuate, is not easily swayed, displays resolute determination and enjoys absolute peace. We can be so easily distracted and deflected and therefore become disturbed. True peace is found in having hearts stayed upon Jehovah. We need such a heart!

One would have thought he would have said, “My heart is fluttered;” but no, he is calm, firm, happy, resolute, established. 

CH Spurgeon

I am interested greatly by David’s desire to sing God’s praises among the nations by the emphasis upon the glory of God which is above the earth. Certainly in this – there is a reference to the extension of God’s Kingdom among the heathen, encompassing all nations. In these days of spiritual darkness we need reminded of the spiritual insight from the sweet Psalmist – that there is yet a future for God’s Kingdom in the world.

The Hebrew Church was neither called nor qualified to be a missionary society, but it never failed to desire and to hope for the conversion of the nations.

William Binnie

Greater words of prayer than these never came from human lips. Heaven and earth have as they imply a mutually interwoven history, and the blessed glorious end of this is in the sunrise of the divine glory over both.

Franz Delitzsch

I am also interested by the double reference in the Psalm upon the mercy and truth of God. This is how God reveals Himself. This is how He glorifies Himself – by mercy and truth! His mercy is never without truth. His justice is vindicated, sin is punished, yet He is merciful to those who have the blood covering.

Herein we see Christ, whose name we praise. He is mercy and truth personified. He is pure and harmless. The law is within his heart. Yet he suffered justice for us that we might saved. He died that he might lead many sons to glory.

Ultimately – we need to fix our hearts of Jesus Christ, falling down before Him, surrendering all and singing his praises as we serve Him with vigour. Thank God – we are hiding in Him!