Psalm 56 reminds me of watching “Monster Movies” on TV with my mom as a kid. Almost every one of them had a scene where a person is running away while looking back. They inevitably stumble and that is where the panic starts. In this psalm of David, he writes of being pursued by the army of King Saul. According to the subtitle, this is the event recorded in 1 Samuel chapter 21. While running from danger, David ran into the home town of Goliath in the nation of the hated Philistines. The psalm forces us to consider how we should react when we realize we are in a bad place. Remember, David got there through a combination of innocent behavior and convenient deception. As is often the case with us, we justify our imperfect behavior because of someone else’s actions. What do you do when you find yourself in a tight spot? David does not make excuses, or dwell on the past; he simply calls on God’s mercy for the present. “Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me“. He notes the cause of Saul’s motivation, “Many are attacking me in their pride“. David also gives us a place to go to overcome fear, “When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise. I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?“. Perhaps it is time to stop looking back and start looking where you are going?
David continues his psalm by pleading his case before God, “they twist my words… plotting to harm me… They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, eager to take my life“. David gives us a beautiful picture of how God hears our cry, “list my tears on your scroll“. I don’t think we realize how much God cares about our situation. One tear shed in prayer communicates more than any words can express. And David also notes his expression of thanks to God for what He has done and what He will do, “I will present my thank offerings to You“. The psalm ends with something all of us have asked when watching a scary movie, “Why don’t you just turn on the light?“. “For You have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life“. Friend, maybe you need the light of God’s Word?
Psalm 57 continues the theme of God’s mercy. It was literally written from a cave and explains that during those scary times there is one great place to take shelter, “In You my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of Your wings until the disaster has passed“. Storm cellars are not designed for long-term living; they are only designed to ride out a passing danger. After the storm, we are to continue to live back in the open. David explains, “I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills His purpose for me“. Sometimes that requires us to takes steps of faith, trusting that God will work through us. “God sends His love and His faithfulness“. David was not foolish, he understood that when we come out of the shelter, we are exposed. “I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp sword… They spread a net for my feet… They dug a pit in my path but they have fallen into it themselves“. The psalm ends with what sounds like David’s preparation for facing the difficulties of the day. “Awake, my soul… I will praise You, O Lord… I will sing of You among the peoples… For great is Your love, reaching to the heavens“. David ends with a prayer for all of us too afraid to come out from under the covers. “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth“. Time to face the day!