Sharper Iron — Time in the Psalms - Psalm 57: God Is Exalted and Glorious Above All

As David hid from Saul in a cave, he cried out to God confidently for mercy. Even before God answered his prayer, David knew that the LORD would show steadfast love and faithfulness to rescue him. Though David’s enemies surrounded him, the glory of God that is over all the earth gave David courage. He knew that his enemies would fall into their own trap, and so he praised God even before the danger had passed. Still today, Christians praise God in the presence of their enemies, knowing that in Jesus Christ, the victory over death cannot be taken away.

Rev. David Vandercook, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in North Little Rock, AR and Shepherd of Peace Lutheran Church in Maumelle, AR, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 57.

To learn more about Trinity Lutheran, visit trinitynlr.com.

Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund. Together in faith, LCEF helps to start, sustain and strengthen LCMS ministries through financial and strategic partnerships. Visit lcef.org.

Psalm 57

Let Your Glory Be over All the Earth

To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam^[a] of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.

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.
²I cry out to God Most High,
    to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
³He will send from heaven and save me;
    he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah
God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!

⁴My 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.

⁵Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!

⁶They 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. Selah
⁷My heart is steadfast, O God,
    my heart is steadfast!
I will sing and make melody!
⁸    Awake, my glory!^[b]
Awake, O harp and lyre!
    I will awake the dawn!
⁹I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
    I will sing praises to you among the nations.
¹⁰For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,
    your faithfulness to the clouds.

¹¹Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!

Footnotes

Psalm 57:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
Psalm 57:8 Or my whole being

Rev. Timothy Appel

Although a mathematics degree may not be incredibly helpful to (proudly born-and-raised Texan) Rev. Timothy Appel while hosting Sharper Iron, his love of CFW Walther and the season of Easter will come in handy. His Call is shepherding the flock at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, Illinois, and he’s also husband to wife Kristin and dad to their growing basketball team of children. When he’s not carrying out pastoral duties, you may find him reading “The Lord of the Rings,” snacking on Reese’s peanut butter cups, playing dominoes with his boys, or studying up on Texas history (including Sam Houston, of course).