“Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me. He will send help from heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hound me. Interlude My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness. I am surrounded by fierce lions who greedily devour human prey— whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords. Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens! May your glory shine over all the earth. My enemies have set a trap for me. I am weary from distress. They have dug a deep pit in my path, but they themselves have fallen into it. Interlude My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises! Wake up, my heart! Wake up, O lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song. I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations. For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth.”
Psalms 57:1-11 NLT
The steadfast love of the lord is great. In its greatness, it is expansive. It is present and powerful beyond all borders and in all places. As David finds himself in loneliness and sadness, he also finds himself at a crossroads. Here we see him write a song of praise and exaltation. Instead of hiding in the depths of of his despair, he decides to do the opposite. Just as Jesus in the wilderness, when faced with the lie that David is all alone in the midst of his struggle, he retorts back with truth. He affirms that he is not alone. He can’t be alone. He replies that he is not forgotten. Instead he replies that God is steadfast. That his promises carry weight even in the midst of his considerable difficulties. And this turns to praise. Instead of merely assenting to these truths, he speaks them out. He constructs a song. He is active with his thoughts. This is a special blueprint for our times of need and our times of despair. When we are tempted to feel like Gods is distant, we ought to remember to tell the truth. That God’s love is great. That his faithfulness is unto the clouds. And we should add praise to the din and sing out exaltation to our God.
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