The Cave Probably Wasn’t In David’s Long Term Plans!

Posted on 09. Feb, 2010 by Jim Peters in Hearing God - Jim's Daily D

Psalm 57

Written by King David – For the Choir Director

Mikhtam[1] – It was written) in the cave after (David) ran away from Saul.

 

1 God, show me mercy, show me mercy,

I[2] run to you for protection;

I run to the shadow of your wings for protection

Until the destruction passes by.

2 I call to the Most High[3] God;

Mighty God[4] will bring it to an end.

3 He will send from heaven and save me,

He will crush (those who) insult me.

[Stop and think about that!][5]

God will send his goodness, kindness and truth.

 

4 I[6] am among the lions

I lie down with people[7] (who are) like fire

Their teeth are like spears and arrows;

Their tongues are like sharp swords.

5 God, be high above the skies;

(Let) your glory, honour and power be over the whole earth.

6 They have prepared a net (where) I walk[8];

I am bent over in distress;

They have dug a pit in front of me,

(but) they have fallen into[9] it.

[Stop and think about that!][10]

 

7 God, inside[11] I’m prepared, I’m prepared deep inside[12]

I will sing; I will praise you with music.

8 Wake up honoured (self)

Wake up Harp and lute

I will wake up the daybreak.

9 I will thank you Owner and Master among the people groups;

I will sing to you and praise you with music in the nations.

10 Your goodness and kindness are as great as the skies

And you truth (is as great) as the clouds.

11 God, you are high above the skies

And your glory, honour ad power is over the whole earth.

 

[1] “probably a poetical or musical term”, [2] “soul”  [3] “’elyown” Hebrew [4] “’el, ’el” [5] & [10] The word used here is “Selah”.  It is most probably a musical term indicating the end of a verse and can be translated as “Pause.”  It is also a possibility that it could indicate for the reader to stop and think about what has just been read. [6] “soul” [7] “sons of men” [8] “prepares/established net steps” [9] “midst” [11] & [12] “inner being”

Application

I need to realise where David was writing this psalm to get the true understanding.  It’s so easy to mouth words about how good God is when everything is going well but it’s another thing when I’m in trouble.  David is in Adullam’s cave.  He is hiding for his life from Saul and there is very little to give him hope.  This probably wasn’t David’s goal or vision for his life as he entered King Saul’s service and became his son-in-law (…. and I think I’ve had problems with the in-laws!)

Here, in this dark place, and I’m not thinking of the cave but of a dark situation, David writes one of the most amazing psalms of praise and faith.

He recognises that God is in control.  He foresees that his enemies will fall into their own trap and David sets God in the highest place above the earth and skies.

I need to be like David.  I need to be prepared deep inside.  I need to be ready to praise God and rejoice in his presence even though the circumstances may be unfavourable.  I need to praise God among those who don’t know him and I need to tell of his goodness, even though I might not be able to see his goodness at that very time.  What I need is to have the unmoveable belief that God is always faithful, that he always works EVERYTHING together for good for me and that my role is to reflect his goodness to others even when things are going wrong.

Prayer

Father, please help me to act out of your truth and not out of the emotions of circumstance.  Please change my inner being.  Make me firm, prepared and stable on the inside so that when I get offended, disappointed, abused or rejected, I act out of love and an understanding that all things work together for good.  Lord, let me be like you and let me reflect your love, mercy and goodness.

IJN Amen

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