The entrance to a cave in Deir-Dubban, six miles southwest of Bethlehem on the border of the Philistine plains and at the foot of the Judean mountains. There are a number of vaults about 15 to 20 feet deep, and perhaps David and his family lived for a time in one of the vaults.
I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who vindicates me.
He sends from heaven and saves me,
rebuking those who hotly pursue me—
God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.
I am in the midst of lions;
I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.Psalm 57:2-4
This Psalm may represent David’s anguish when he found a cave in Abdullam to hide from the king of Achish in Gath. 1 Samuel 22
Desperate to get away from Saul, David fled to Gath, a key Philistine city, enemy territory. The Philistines recognized him; he pretended to be insane, and he fled to the cave. In all likelihood, Saul’s rage against David extended to his family, and they joined him in the cave.
Huddled in the cave, David talks with God and states the facts in the first verses of the Psalm.
- God vindicates him.
- God saves him.
- God rebukes those who pursue him.
- He lives among his enemies.
- His enemies speak fierce words against him.
David turns his thoughts from his enemies to God.
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
Let Your glory be above all the earth. Psalm 57:5
They have prepared a net for my steps;
My soul is bowed down;
They dug a pit before me;
They themselves have fallen into the midst of it. Selah. Psalm 57:6
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises!
Awake, my glory!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to You among the nations.
For Your lovingkindness is great to the heavens
And Your truth to the clouds.
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
Let Your glory be above all the earth.
- He will keep his heart steadfast.
- He will sing praises.
- He will awake the dawn.
- He will give thanks.
- He will sing praises again.
Why will David take these actions?
- God’s lovingkindness is great to the heavens.
- God’s truth is great to the clouds.
Whether it’s finances, work issues, sickness, marriage problems, a prodigal, this is a psalm to turn to. David found the formula.
- He cried out to God and acknowledged God’s faithfulness.
- He stated the problem.
- He turned his thoughts on God’s works.
- He exalted God.
- He stated his problem again.
- He decided to sing praises and give thanks to God.
He exalted God.
My prayer for you
Father in heaven, You are faithful, Your lovingkindness is great to the heavens. Thank You that You listen to our heart’s cry and that You provide all we need; You heal our marriages, our families, our relationships and our diseases. That’s why in the midst of our troubles we can sing praises to You. You are in control and have already worked out things in our best interests. Be exalted above the heavens, O God. Let Your glory be above all the earth.
4 responses to “Hiding in the cave of despair? Do what David did”
This prayer came at just the right time.
May you rest in the knowledge that Jesus loves you and has your best interests in mind. He is in control and the battle belongs to the Lord. I’m praying for you. Karen
Ziona, When the pain from fibromyalgia kept me up at night, I’d read the Psalms. David cried out to God about his troubles for awhile, but when he turned his eyes from his troubles and onto God our Creator and Keeper, his cries became praise. May your cries turn to praise as you lean on Jesus. Karen
This is SO Good–I pray for God to continually help me keep my eyes on Him and His promises, rather than troubling circumstances. I know that I know that I know He is Faithful, Able, and Trustworthy–praise His Name! God bless you, sister.