Psalm 57 is a song of praise to God. “God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness” (Psalm 57:3 ESV). David has gone into hiding in a cave to escape those who want to persecute him (1 Samuel 22:1). Right before this, in Psalm 56, David is asking for God’s help. Yet so quickly, we transition to a Psalm of praise. I think of the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). There is praise, there is petition for help, and then there is trust in Him alone. Jesus said to pray like this, and David already knew this pattern of praise and petition because he worked intentionally to listen to God’s word throughout his life.
In March of 2021, my husband’s best friend, practically his brother, tragically took his own life. That same month, my husband was diagnosed with cancer, our fourteen-year-old dog passed away from a massive stroke, and I was just beginning to tread water after the challenges of postpartum recovery from having our daughter seven months earlier. I felt overwhelmed and hopeless, yet I knew I had to push through this incredibly difficult season. The thought of pausing to cry or sit with my emotions felt impossible and isolating, especially as I focused on caring for my husband and our children. And then, God revealed the “but.” “But…”—oh, how I treasure the contrast of that word when God is in it!
They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my way, but they have fallen into it themselves (Psalms 57:6)
The powerful but—the intervention of God that only He can give. David knew this. He knew that prayer was his relief, his connection to God, and most of all, his strength.
I will sing and make melody! Awake, O Harp and lyre! I will awake the Dawn!” (Psalms 57:8)
David not only praises God, but he is also moved to action. He is moved with God. With God, we can do anything. Without Him? Everything, even the smallest things, is impossible. Do we have days when we need to sit in our feelings? Absolutely! But should we do so without Him, the Word, and prayer? No.
I offer these next questions as a challenge after reading Psalm 57:
Should we sort out how we feel with God, and then move by giving our worry to God in praise and petition?
Should we listen and be used by God to change the circumstance or the attitude of our future?
Should we, when we don’t have words, ask Him to search our hearts with the help only He can give?
Psalm Chapter 57. BibleRef.com. (n.d.). https://www.bibleref.com/Psalms/57/Psalms-chapter-57.html#:~:text=Though%20his%20enemies%20attack%20him,enemies%20will%20only%20harm%20themselves.
I have included a link to the Hallow app here: https://hallow.app.link/Vl6igV2RBRb. This app is a paid subscription (monthly, annually, etc), but is great for getting you into the habit of prayer if you need guidance on prayer. There are Catholic attributes to this app but you can choose different prayer habits outside of the rosaries, etc.
If you haven’t picked up a CS Lewis book yet, I recommend doing this as quickly as possible.
- The Screwtape Letters: A fictional look at how evil can creep in subtly, if we aren’t close to God.
- Reflections of the Pslams: CS Lewis looks deeper into the Psalms and their importance in our walk in the Word.
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