Psalm 57
February 1, 2026 Father, in the first verse of this song David cries out for mercy. As he says, his soul is in the midst of lions; he lies down amid fiery beasts—the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. There is danger at the door. Here the song writer, repeats a sentiment on which he often relies to bolster his courage: he will take refuge in the shadow of your wings, till the storms of destruction pass by. He knows you will send out your steadfast love and your faithfulness. But more importantly he relies on something far more sure: he appeals to you “who fulfills his purpose for me.” No matter the present set back, the present deprivation, the present fear, the present danger, the present injury, you, O God, will fulfill your ultimate purpose for David.
By the second verse David is singing in the face of danger. His heart is steadfast and he is singing and making melody. He is singing with his whole being. He will add the harp and the lyre so as to awake the dawn. And what is he singing about? He is giving thanks, for thanksgiving is at the heart of our relationship with you; and he is singing praises to you—literally bragging about your works and your steadfast love and faithfulness—and he is singing loud enough for all the nations to hear. His reliance on your ultimate fulfillment of your purposes has taken hold.
Father, we take refuge in the shadow of your wing, in your steadfast love and faithfulness. And even more consequentially, like David, we take hold with confidence that you are fulfilling your purposes in our lives, in our nation, in the world, in the rollercoaster of present and future difficulties.
In the chorus of this song David sings the summarizing sentiment:
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!
Father, you are working out your purposes as year succeeds to year. We say with increasing confidence that the time is drawing nearer and nearer when the earth shall be filled with your glory as the waters cover the sea.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, we pray
And together we say, Amen.