DAWN

     Explanation: In Psalm 57 David asks God for deliverance from his enemies; and he expresses his confidence that his prayer will be granted. Today's first image illustrates a strong man confined to a cave while life goes on as usual outside. This was David's plight while he was hiding in a cave -- perhaps Adullam or Engedi. The second image is part of the Adullam cave complex. The third image depicts the Wilderness of Engedi.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: 1 Samuel 22:1-5. 1 Samuel 24. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: GENERAL. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). VARIOUS ARTISTS: Psalm 57 - #1. Psalm 57 - #2. Psalm 57 - #3. Psalm 57 - #4. ]

     David asks for God's mercy because his soul trusts in God. He hides under the shadow of God's wings and take refuge there until the calamities which were upon him passed him by. He cries to God because God brings things to a completion or a conclusion for him. He will send from heaven and deliver David from the reproach of the one who wished to swallow him up (or to snuff him up like air). God will send his mercy and his truth to David (1-3). David's soul was among lions. He slept, as it were, surrounded by fire and by men whose teeth were like spears and arrows and whose tongue was like a sharp sword (4). He asks that God will be exalted above the heavens and that his glory will be throughout all the earth (5). His enemies prepared a net for his steps. His soul was bowed down. They dug a pit for him; but they fell into it (6). In spite of these afflictions, his heart was fixed, singing and praising God. He tells his psaltery (or lyre) and harp to awake early, even as he himself will awake early. He will praise God among the people. He will sing unto God among the nations because Gods mercy and truth are great and exalted. So he asks again that God will be exalted above the heavens and his glory would spread throughout the earth (7-11).

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.
² I will cry unto God most high;
unto God that performeth all things for me.
³ 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.
⁴ 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.
⁵ Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let thy glory be above all the earth.
⁶ 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.

⁷ My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed:
I will sing and give praise.
⁸ Awake up, my glory;
awake, psaltery and harp:
I myself will awake early.
⁹ I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people:
I will sing unto thee among the nations.
¹⁰ For thy mercy is great unto the heavens,
and thy truth unto the clouds.
¹¹ Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens:
let thy glory be above all the earth.

* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]