Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 57
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 57
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 57
"Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me; For my soul taketh refuge in thee: Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I take refuge, Until [these] calamities be overpast. I will cry unto God Most High, Unto God that performeth [all things] for me. He will send from heaven, and save me, [When] he that would swallow me up reproacheth; Selah God will send forth his lovingkindness and his truth. My soul is among lions; I lie 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 [be] above all the earth. They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down: They have digged a pit before me; They are fallen into the midst thereof themselves. Selah" — Psalms 57:1-6 (ASV)
All David's dependence is upon God. The most eminent believers often need to repeat the publican's prayer, God be merciful to me a sinner. But if our souls trust in the Lord, this may assure us, in our utmost dangers, that our calamities will eventually be over, and meanwhile, by faith and prayer, we must make Him our refuge. Though God is most high, yet He condescends so low as to take care that all things are made to work for good for His people.
This is a good reason why we should pray earnestly. Whichever way we look on this earth, refuge fails, no help appears; but we may look for it from heaven. If we have fled from the wrath to come to Jesus Christ, He who performed all things necessary to purchase the salvation of His people, will do for us and in us all things necessary for our enjoyment of it. It made David droop to think there should be those who bore him so much ill will.
But the mischief they designed against him returned on themselves. And when David was in the greatest distress and disgrace, he did not pray, 'Lord, exalt me,' but, 'Lord, exalt Your own name.' Our best encouragement in prayer is taken from the glory of God, and to that, more than to our own comfort, we should give consideration in all our petitions for mercy.
"My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing, yea, I will sing praises. Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake right early. I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the peoples: I will sing praises unto thee among the nations. For thy lovingkindness is great unto the heavens, And thy truth unto the skies. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; [Let] thy glory [be] above all the earth. " — Psalms 57:7-11 (ASV)
By lively faith, David's prayers and complaints are at once turned into praises. His heart is steadfast; it is prepared for every event, resting firmly on God. If by the grace of God we are brought into this calm, composed state of mind, we have great reason to be thankful. Nothing is truly accomplished in religion unless it is done with the heart.
The heart must be set on the duty, properly prepared for it, and kept focused on it through close attention. Our tongue is our glory, and never more so than when praising God; dull and sleepy devotions will never be acceptable to God. Let us awake early in the morning to begin the day with God; let us also be prompt at the beginning of a mercy.
When God comes toward us with his blessings, let us go out to meet him with our praises. David desired to bring others to join in praising God; and in his psalms, he is still praising God among the people, singing to Him among the nations. Let us seek to have our hearts steadfastly set to praise his boundless mercy and unfailing faithfulness, and to glorify him with body, soul, and spirit, which are his.
Let us earnestly pray that the blessings of the gospel may be sent through every land.
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