Faithfulness to the Clouds and Glory Over the Earth in Psalm 57

“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.” Psalm 57:1

Mercy is not receiving what you deserve. Sinful, we deserve destruction. Blood over the doorposts of the Jews caused the angel of death to pass them by (Exodus 12:23).

Undeserving, we hide under God’s merciful wings for protection.

“I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. He will send from heaven and save me…God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!” Psalm 57:2-3

We cry out for mercy from the Most High. David says God fulfills his purposes, and Paul echoes that it is “…God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). In the meantime, God will not be false to his faithfulness (Psalm 89:33). His steadfast love is dependable. In the midst of brokenness—pain or loss—expect steadfast love and depend upon it.

As his goodness and mercy follows us in Psalm 23:6, so he will send out his steadfast love and faithfulness to pursue us.

“My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts—the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.” Psalm 57:4

Early in my journey of loss, I journaled about the danger of sugarcoating loss. Never diminish loss. David compares his dilemma to being surrounded by lions or fiery beasts. He says of his enemies that their teeth are as spears and arrows, and their tongues are sharp swords. Destruction.

“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!” Psalm 57:5

In the face of lions, beasts, spears, arrows, and swords David exalts God. He prays, in essence, “…Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10). He exalts God and desires his glory to be known around the world. His faithfulness inspires us to seek his glory.

Jesus taught his disciples to pray, “…deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13). Those four simple words are profound. David’s enemies set a net for him. His soul is overwhelmed. A pit is dug on his life’s path. In a broken world, praying for delivery is a wise prayer.

“My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.” Psalm 57:7-9

If his steadfast love and faithfulness are following after me and pursuing me, then my heart is steadfast. I will make melody. My heart is awakened to give him glory.

Humility and surrender in the shadow of his wings gives birth to determined loyalty to God. Steadfast. In a state of upheld brokenness, the soul is inspired to worship. God’s mercy gives birth to gratitude. His fulfilled purpose gives birth to proclamation—testifying to the nations.

We are steadfast only because his steadfast love is impenetrable and extends to the heavens. Unending. His faithfulness to us is inexhaustible. Spontaneously, our hearts are compelled to exalt the name of our God above the heavens and our desire is to see the glory of God covering the peoples of the earth.

“For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!” Psalm 57:10-11