LET YOUR GLORY BE OVER ALL THE EARTH
Passage: Psalm 57:1~11  
Key verse: 5, 11
Psalm 57[a](A)For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.[b] When he had fled from Saul into the cave.(B)
1 Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.(C)
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings(D)
until the disaster has passed.(E)
2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who vindicates me.(F)
3 He sends from heaven and saves me,(G)
rebuking those who hotly pursue me—[c](H)
God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.(I)
4 I am in the midst of lions;(J)
I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.(K)
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.(L)
6 They spread a net for my feet(M)—
I was bowed down(N) in distress.
They dug a pit(O) in my path—
but they have fallen into it themselves.(P)
7 My heart, O God, is steadfast,
my heart is steadfast;(Q)
I will sing and make music.
8 Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!(R)
I will awaken the dawn.
9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.(S)
1 Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.(C)
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings(D)
until the disaster has passed.(E)
2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who vindicates me.(F)
3 He sends from heaven and saves me,(G)
rebuking those who hotly pursue me—[c](H)
God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.(I)
4 I am in the midst of lions;(J)
I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.(K)
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.(L)
6 They spread a net for my feet(M)—
I was bowed down(N) in distress.
They dug a pit(O) in my path—
but they have fallen into it themselves.(P)
7 My heart, O God, is steadfast,
my heart is steadfast;(Q)
I will sing and make music.
8 Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!(R)
I will awaken the dawn.
9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.(S)
Footnotes
- Psalm 57:1 In Hebrew texts 57:1-11 is numbered 57:2-12.
- Psalm 57:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
- Psalm 57:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 6.
Cross references
- Psalm 57:1 : 57:7-11pp — Ps 108:1-5
- Psalm 57:1 : 1Sa 22:1; 24:3; Ps 142 Title
- Psalm 57:1 : Ps 2:12; 9:9; 34:22
- Psalm 57:1 : S Ru 2:12; S Mt 23:37
- Psalm 57:1 : Isa 26:20
- Psalm 57:2 : Ps 138:8
- Psalm 57:3 : Ps 18:9, 16; 69:14; 142:6; 144:5, 7
- Psalm 57:3 : Ps 56:1
- Psalm 57:3 : Ps 25:10; 40:11; 115:1
- Psalm 57:4 : S Ps 35:17
- Psalm 57:4 : S Ps 55:21; Pr 30:14
- Psalm 57:5 : ver 11; Ps 108:5
- Psalm 57:6 : Ps 10:9; 31:4; 140:5
- Psalm 57:6 : S Ps 38:6; 145:14
- Psalm 57:6 : S Ps 9:15
- Psalm 57:6 : S Est 6:13; Ps 7:15; Pr 28:10; Ecc 10:8
- Psalm 57:7 : Ps 112:7
- Psalm 57:8 : Ps 33:2; 149:3; 150:3
- Psalm 57:10 : S Ps 36:5
- Psalm 57:11 : S Ps 8:1; 113:4
- Psalm 57:11 : S ver 5
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Source:  BibleGateway
David fled from Saul, who pursued him with murderous jealousy, into a cave (cf. 1 Sam 22, 24). It was not the cave but God's mercy that provided refuge to him. David cried out to God, and God intervened: not with a simple solution, but with love and faithfulness (3). Although he would continue to dwell among 'ravenous beasts,' he concluded with praise to God: Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
2. My heart, O God, is steadfast (6-11)
Enduring those troubling times was not easy. But by trusting in God, it formed David's character. God would frustrate his enemies. But it was David's God-centered decision that gave him a steadfast peace. He would praise God with music publicly. Why? 'For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.' His heart remained steadfast even after he was king (Ps 108:1). In the same way, the ups and downs of our lives are a training ground that brings confidence in God's love. Let us conclude this year with the same praise as David: Be exalted, O God.
Prayer: Father, your mercy is my refuge in times of blessing or trial. Help me exalt and praise you; let your glory be over all the earth.
One Word: Be exalted, O God