Be Merciful To Me, O God
Devotional
Companion to the Psalter
A Devotional Guide to the Psalms
Object:
Be merciful to me,
for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings
I will take refuge,
until the destroying storms pass by.
I cry to God Most High,
to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
He will send from heaven and save me.
-- Psalm 57:1-3a
Theme: Amid dangers -- praise the Lord!
Outline
1-4 -- Prayer and confidence in God's protection in the midst of danger.
5 -- "Glory to God" refrain.
6-10 -- The malicious tactics of his enemies turn to their own defeat, and with steadfastness he exults in thanks to God, praying for all the earth to behold his glory.
11 -- "Glory to God" refrain.
Notes
• Lament
• Note poetic repetition for emphasis in verses 1, 3, 7, 8, and the refrain in verses 5 and 11.
• The title refers us to David's experience and courage as told in 1 Samuel 22 or 24.
• The church has used it as a proper psalm for Easter Day, in celebration of Christ's triumph over death and hell, and the Messianic hope expressed in verses 5 and 11.
For Reflection
• What is God's purpose for me? Based on verse 3, his covenant love that he will "send forth." "There is no such thing as love and no such thing as faithfulness; these are merely abstract ideas. Only a living person 'sends forth love.' In other words, God sends himself, full of steadfast love and loyalty to his faithfulness, that is to his unchangeableness within the covenant."1
Prayer
When destroying storms in nature and in the human family threaten us, give to us courage from your promise that you will fulfill your purpose for us: your name hallowed, your kingdom come, and your will for us in Christ fully carried out. May all share in such a fulfillment with us through Christ our Lord. Amen.
____________
1. George A.F. Knight, The Daily Study Bible Series -- Psalms, Vol. 1 (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1982), p. 267.
for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings
I will take refuge,
until the destroying storms pass by.
I cry to God Most High,
to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
He will send from heaven and save me.
-- Psalm 57:1-3a
Theme: Amid dangers -- praise the Lord!
Outline
1-4 -- Prayer and confidence in God's protection in the midst of danger.
5 -- "Glory to God" refrain.
6-10 -- The malicious tactics of his enemies turn to their own defeat, and with steadfastness he exults in thanks to God, praying for all the earth to behold his glory.
11 -- "Glory to God" refrain.
Notes
• Lament
• Note poetic repetition for emphasis in verses 1, 3, 7, 8, and the refrain in verses 5 and 11.
• The title refers us to David's experience and courage as told in 1 Samuel 22 or 24.
• The church has used it as a proper psalm for Easter Day, in celebration of Christ's triumph over death and hell, and the Messianic hope expressed in verses 5 and 11.
For Reflection
• What is God's purpose for me? Based on verse 3, his covenant love that he will "send forth." "There is no such thing as love and no such thing as faithfulness; these are merely abstract ideas. Only a living person 'sends forth love.' In other words, God sends himself, full of steadfast love and loyalty to his faithfulness, that is to his unchangeableness within the covenant."1
Prayer
When destroying storms in nature and in the human family threaten us, give to us courage from your promise that you will fulfill your purpose for us: your name hallowed, your kingdom come, and your will for us in Christ fully carried out. May all share in such a fulfillment with us through Christ our Lord. Amen.
____________
1. George A.F. Knight, The Daily Study Bible Series -- Psalms, Vol. 1 (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1982), p. 267.
