Psalms 57:1. Be merciful unto me, O God
He begins with the same note as in the last Psalm; it is a note that cannot be too often on the believer's tongue: «Be merciful unto me, O God,»
Psalms 57:1. Be merciful unto me:
As an old writer says, «The tongue of the bell strikes on both sides, and the note is the same in each case, ‘Be merciful unto me, be merciful unto me.» You cannot have that petition offered too often. David feels his deep need of mercy, and the great value of mercy, and therefore he prays again and again, «Be merciful unto me, be merciful unto me.»
Psalms 57:1-2. For my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpass. I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.
«That perfecteth all things for me,» so it may be read; «that perfecteth all his mercies, all his promises, and that will perfect all that concerneth me whatever it may be, unto this God will I cry.»
Psalms 57:3-5. He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth. My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory he above all the earth.
«Exalt thyself by overcoming all thine enemies. If they be very great, be thou greater still; if they be mighty, be thou the more mighty in my defense,
and so glorify thy holy name.»
Psalms 57:6-11. They have prepared a net for my steps, my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah. My heart is fixed, God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations. For thy mercy is great unto the heavens and thy truth unto the clouds. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.
This exposition consisted of readings from Psalms 56, 57.