Expectation and Assurance of Deliverance
Psalm 57:1-11
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me: for my soul trusts in you: yes, in the shadow of your wings will I make my refuge…


In many respects this psalm is very like the previous one. May be regarded under two general aspects. As expressing ?

I. THE PSALMIST'S EXPECTATION OF DELIVERANCE FROM DANGER. (Vers. 1-6.) Founded:

1. Upon his trust in God's tender protection. (Ver. 1; Deuteronomy 22:11, 12.) This faith in the tender love of God "has no parallel in heathen literature."

2. God could not fail to perform or complete the work he had begun for him. (Ver. 2.) "He who hath begun a good work in you," etc. God does not abandon his own work.

3. God's retributive justice must give the victory to the righteous. (Vers. 3, 4, 6.) The designs of wicked men recoil in the end upon themselves, and ensure their own destruction. This is true, in the long run, of God's providence.

II. THE JOYFUL, INWARD ASSURANCE OF DELIVERANCE. (Vers. 7-12.)

1. His heart is steadfast with fearless confidence in God. (Ver. 7.) The psalm records the gradual progress of his mind towards the highest rejoicing in the Divine deliverance.

2. He calls upon himself to celebrate the praise of God in the highest strains. (Ver. 8.) "His glory," equivalent to "his soul." He will wake the dawn with his earnest, fervent songs.

3. He will make his praises to sound forth among the heathen. (Ver. 9.) Not only among his own people.

4. He calls upon heaven to unite with earth in praising the glory of God. (Ver. 12.) His triumph in God over his enemies has now reached its culminating point. - S.





Parallel Verses
KJV: {To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.} Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.

WEB: Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me, for my soul takes refuge in you. Yes, in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, until disaster has passed.




Christ Our Refuge
Top of Page
Top of Page