For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Psalm 57

1 Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
    for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
    until the disaster has passed.

2 I cry out to God Most High,
    to God, who vindicates me.
3 He sends from heaven and saves me,
    rebuking those who hotly pursue me – 
    God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.

4 I am in the midst of lions;
    I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts –
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
    whose tongues are sharp swords.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
    let your glory be over all the earth.

6 They spread a net for my feet –
    I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path –
    but they have fallen into it themselves.

7 My heart, O God, is steadfast,
    my heart is steadfast;
    I will sing and make music.
8 Awake, my soul!
    Awake, harp and lyre!
    I will awaken the dawn.

9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
    I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
    let your glory be over all the earth.

A. Find Out:    

1. How did David view the present situation? v.1
2. How further did he describe it? v.4,6
3. What was his response to all this? v.2
4. What did he want of God? v.5,11
5. What did he say he would do and why? v.7-10
6. What did he expect God to do? v.3

B. Think:

1. Read 1 Sam 22:1 What appear to be David’s circumstances here?
2. What about God does David reveal here he knows?
3. How does that help him?

C. Comment:

  Several times in David’s life between calling and kingship he found himself in a cave, which is what the note at the top of this psalm refers to. The most likely one is the one when he first flees to the cave of Adullam . He feels he is in a state of impending disaster (v.1), that he is being pursued (v.3), that they are out to kill him (v.4), having set a trap for him (v.6). His life is under threat.

  What is David’s response to all this? He cries out to God, he asks for mercy, he declares he will take refuge in God, he reminds himself that God has a purpose for him, he asks for God to be exalted, he declares he will praise God, and he declares God’s love for him. Again and again when we study David, we find that as soon as he has a problem he turns to God and declares truth. What an example!

  Why could David turn so easily to God? Because he was sure of God! He describes God as “God Most High” who rules from heaven, and whose plans involve David. He knows that this is not some all-distant, impersonal God but one who comes down and saves. Twice he refers to God’s love and faithfulness. Our God is love (1 Jn 4:16) and so everything that comes from Him is love. All His encounters with us are love. But He is also unchanging and therefore when He has promised blessing, He is faithful and will do it.

D. Application:

1. Everything that comes from God is love. Am I sure of that?
2. God is utterly faithful. Can I utterly rely on that?