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.

1. God vindicates him.
2. God saves him.
3. God rebukes those who pursue him.
4. He lives among his enemies.
5. His enemies speak fierce words against him.

David turns his thoughts from his enemies to God.

Back to his problems. He’s in the pit, the cave. Selah may mean a pause, a crescendo, or a musical interlude. In this Psalm, it is a turning point.

David turns his thoughts from his problems to God and determines what he will do.

David has will-power. In the middle of problems it’s not easy to do what he chose to do.

1. He will keep his heart steadfast.
2. He will sing praises.
3. He will awake the dawn.
4. He will give thanks.
5. He will sing praises again.

Why will David take these actions?

1. God’s lovingkindness is great to the heavens.
2. 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.

1. He cried out to God and acknowledged God’s faithfulness.
2. He stated the problem.
3. He turned his thoughts on God’s works.
4. He exalted God.
5. He stated his problem again.
6. He decided to sing praises and give thanks to God.

He exalted God.

Whether it’s finances, marriage, sickness, family, work, or relationships, cry out to God. He is faithful. He is our great Provider and Healer. Turn your eyes to Him.