August 23, 2009 pm
IN
THE SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS
Psalm 57
The Superscription:
To the Chief Musician – it was later assigned for use in worship by
Israel.
A michtam of David –
describing a certain type of psalm.
We have seen a few already.
The occasion – when
David fled from Saul into the cave.
We read of one such occasion in 1 Samuel 24.
David was hiding in a cave with his men where Saul and his men
camped as they sought him where David was in the wilderness of En Gedi.
David had opportunity to kill Saul right then but instead spared
his life (24:1-6) even
noting that God forbid he stretch out his hand against the Lord’s
anointed. Instead of slaying
Saul, he cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.
It resulted in king Saul leaving for a time from pursuing David.
Interestingly, the
psalm is “Set to Al-tashheth” which has been translated, “Do Not
Destroy”. It is generally
believed this was the tune to which this psalm (and the next 2) were
assigned (or at least a specific type of tune).
The title has meaning worthy of consideration here when you think
of the occasion. David did
NOT destroy King Saul when he could have, nor did he allow his men to
destroy him. Perhaps, he
even pleads with God on this occasion to spare the king.
Regardless, David puts his trust in God.
a.
David
relies upon God’s mercy (grace) to save him.
The mercy (or graciousness) of God has been a frequent source of
discussion in the psalms, and will continue to be.
Repetition implies a sense of urgency.
b.
David has
trust (faith) in Him, also another frequent theme.
c.
In the
shadow of His wings - The expression is one related to a mother bird as
she protects her young. A
couple of thoughts of interest – David is in a cave (a dark place) and
he makes reference to the
shadow of God’s wings –
though David can not physically see God, he KNOWS He is there and sees
him and knows David’s needs.
Remember in another psalm where David notes that God is everywhere –
Psalm 139:7-12.
Further when I think of
darkness I think of times
of trouble. Spiritually,
darkness is associated with sin and those who are evil.
What David is facing is evil (John 1:5, 3:19, Eph. 6:12).
EVEN in the face of that He knows God knows and sees.
d.
Continued
trust UNTIL his troubles (calamities) have been concluded.
You could say, his trust was in God, “no matter what happens” and
“no matter how long it takes.”
e.
Vs. 2 –
David will cry out to God – he will pray (as he always did).
f.
Vs. 3 –
God will send (deliverance) from heaven.
How would David be delivered? He
didn’t know how? But he knew
that God COULD deliver him.
And it did NOT have to be the way that man reasons.
God works in many different ways.
Realize that His ways and answers are not always the same as
ours.
God would send forth His mercy and truth.
II.
A Soul Among Lions
(4-6)
a.
The
illustration of lions here is a fierce enemy.
An enemy that can consume.
Some considerations:
i.
Proverbs
28:15, “Like a roaring lion and a
charging bear is a wicked ruler over poor people.”
ii.
Daniel 6
records Daniel being cast into a den of lions.
Through God’s providential grace, Daniel was saved on that
occasion. We know of the
fierceness of these lions from vs. 22-24 where they devoured the enemies
of Daniel.
iii.
1 Peter
5:8 - Satan is described as a roaring lion.
iv.
Remember
when David had ALREADY dealt with a lion (having slain him).
So he knew of lions and he knew of trust in God (1 Samuel
17:34-36).
b.
These enemies
(4,6)
i.
David is in their midst –
remember he is in a cave, hidden in a recess while Saul and his army are
around him. We too are
surrounded by enemies – we are IN the world, though we strive to be not
OF the world (John 17:11, 14-17).
But at times we find ourselves in hostile territory – during those times
– don’t forget to trust God.
ii.
They are set on fire (NASU
– “who breathe forth fire) – they are fierce and bent on destruction.
Saul and his army had one mission – to capture and defeat David.
They had NO reason to destroy him, but their bitterness was so
great they would stop at nothing.
Imagine the scenery – Saul with his huge army coming out against David
and a few discontents who were with him.
iii.
Their evil
tongues was one of their tools - (vs. 4 – a sharp sword)
James 3:5-6 even describes the damage the tongue can do as a fire.
Quite often – the terrors of enemies are started with inciting words.
It was inciting words that turned the crowd against Jesus to crucify
Him.
It was inciting words that caused Paul who was preaching and acting in
peace to be driven out of cities.
At times riots were started – by accusatory words.
What LIES had been said about David by Saul and perpetrated by his
armies?
iv.
Vs. 6
describes
the trap they had prepared
– a net, they dug a pit.
They had put forth great efforts to find and trap David.
They truly wanted him out of the way.
We warn often of the methods of our spiritual enemies and how we ought
to be on guard for their traps.
v.
They fell into it themselves
– think of this as Saul is at David’s mercy in that cave.
While we should not rejoice in the calamity of the ungodly, at times
their own schemes turn against themselves.
In such, we ought to rejoice that truth and right prevails.
Remember how Hamaan (enemy of Mordecai in the book of Esther) was hanged
on the gallows he had prepared against Mordecai (Esther 7:9-10).
Romans 12:19 says, “Beloved, do
not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is
written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay.’ Says the Lord.”
c.
Vs. 5 –
David’s desire that God be exalted – even in the midst of his enemies.
a.
“My
heart is steadfast” – KJV, “My heart is fixed.”
One of the things that stand out in this psalm is this phrase.
Remember David is in his youth and in trouble – a combination
that usually causes one to NOT think about God, yet he is steadfast.
His faith does not waver and neither does his integrity.
That is demonstrated by his restraint against Saul.
(Realize that David is already a man of war – yet here he
maintains calm and justice).
We need steadfastness.
1 Corinthians 15:58, Hebrews 3:14 – we hold the beginning of our
confidence steadfast to the end.
Do not be just a fair-weather follower.
True faith is demonstrated as we are tried and overcome (cf.
James 1:2-4).
b.
“I
will sing” (7b-8) Not only
is David steadfast, he is joyful to God and will sing.
His singing is a sign of
rejoicing and praising God.
Further, in vs. 8 we read that he will awaken his singing and his harp
and lyre (lute), and “I will awaken the dawn” he says.
The point - David’s gratitude to God is so great that he cannot
contain it to himself.
He outwardly rejoices and expresses it in song.
And his praise would not be something he would delay, nor would
it be silent. He would wake
up the morning with his singing.
Friends, it is one thing to be steady in
difficult times (especially when we are being abused because of our
righteousness), but will we REJOICE in it? (1 Peter 4:12-13)
Consider Paul and Silas in Philippi in Acts 16:25 where they were
praying and singing hymns to God.
Paul told the Philippians, “rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS.” (Phil. 4:4)
Singing is an expression of our joy - what does our singing say
to others?
James 5:13 speaks of the
cheerful singing.
Vs. 9 notes the he would praise God “among the nations.”
His deliverance was not something he kept to himself.
His singing would reflect his gratitude.
What a thought: When we sing, with joy, don’t forget some of what
we are doing – teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and
spiritual songs (Colossians 3:16).
Let me again emphasize – IS THERE JOY in our singing?
Can others tell it?
David’s joy was not just singing but also playing with the harp.
David praised God that way and God accepted it.
BUT such does NOT serve as justification for us, primarily
because it is without authority for us today.
In the New Testament the singing we are instructed to do is
without instruments.
Consider this in Ephesians 5:19 where we are told to make melody in our
hearts to the Lord.
Interestingly, the word for melody is the Greek, Psallo, which means to
pluck. But we are told WHAT
to pluck in that verse – our hearts!
That is the instrument God is pleased with.
It is to ACCOMPANY our singing to
Him.
c.
“Mercies reaching unto the heavens.”
(10-11)
David sees the VASTNESS of God’s greatness.
His loving-kindness (mercy) is greater than anything or anywhere
in this world. So often today
man tries to bring God down to his level instead of us rising to HIS
level.
May we exalt Him beyond the boundaries of this earth.
Consider the throne scene in Revelation 4:9-11 where we find
creatures and elders before His throne worshipping Him.
It is not just on this earth, but everywhere.
We will see this in future psalms.