May 25, 2024 - Psalms 56-60

It sort of amazes me that David, having lived a life so full of challenges, sin, enemies seeking to kill him, and even his own sons trying to depose him from the throne, that he could live such a full and good life.  And why not?  He always rested in his God no matter what the world might throw against him.  And so, David cries out, “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.  I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.  He will send from heaven and save me” (57:1-3 ).  What confidence!  What hope!  David’s own experiences with God played such a significant role in strengthening his faith in God.  God had delivered him time and time again.  Thus, David was able to conclude his psalm:  “I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.  For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds” (57:9-10).  And we sing:

Be merciful to me, O God;

be merciful to me;

because my soul her confidence

doth wholly place in thee.

Yea, in the shadow of thy wings

my refuge I will place,

until thee sad calamities

do wholly overpass.   –J. B. Herbert (1891)