Be Exalted, O God – Psalm 57

Are we surprised that several of David’s psalms come out of his experience fleeing Saul.  He’s been anointed by Samuel to be the next king, but he is running around Israel to avoid being assassinated by Saul.  Twice he hid in caves, which cannot be the most comfortable place to hide, nor, if you are discovered, the safest, since there is only one way out.  David’s song has a refrain repeated twice, “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!  Let your glory be over all the earth!”

To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.  I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.  He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah   God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!

My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts—the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!  Let your glory be over all the earth!

They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down.  They dug a pit in my way, but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah   My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast!  I will sing and make melody!  Awake, my glory!  Awake, O harp and lyre!  I will awake the dawn!  I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.  For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!  Let your glory be over all the earth!  (Psalm 57 ESV)

David was being chased by Saul, the storm of destruction, but David trusted that God would send out His love and faithfulness, like faithful servants, to rescue him, and he gave God praise in the midst of the storm.  David appeals to his instruments to wake up to sing and give thanks in advance for what God is going to do.  For the one steadfast in heart God’s glory is the highest good and His love and faithfulness will win the day.