Psalm 57

Psalm 57. Giving words when there are no words. 

Soaring through the twists and turns of our sojourn. 

Speaking true my fears and frustrations. 

Then bringing me back to praise and vision. Recounting the faithfulness of the Most High God and declaring Him to the nations.

Daniel

One morning, I read Psalm 57 and wonder. Did Daniel meditate on this miktam of David? 

In the den. In the dark. Surrounded by lions.

“I call to God Most High,
to God who fulfills His purpose for me.
He reaches down from heaven and saves me, challenging the one who tramples me.
God sends His faithful love and truth.
I am surrounded by lions;
I lie down among devouring lions—people whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.”
Psalm 57:2-4

Did he sing a lullaby to lions? Then wake up the dawn with his praise? (Psalm 57:7-8)

Psalm 57 fulfilled

And after he was removed unscathed, did Daniel watch in wonder as David’s declaration was fulfilled? 

“I will praise You, Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to You among the nations….
God, be exalted above the heavens;
let Your glory be over the whole earth.”
Psalm 57:9-10

Words fulfilled through the pagan king—Darius—who reluctantly cast him in the lions den after Daniel’s malicious accusers trapped their king in an irrevocable “law of the Medes and Persians” (Daniel 6:5-9).

Now King Darius writes to the whole world a declaration of God’s glory.

He is the living God

This decree is sent “to those of every people, nation, and language who live on the whole earth” that they should “tremble in fear before the God of Daniel.”

“For He is the living God and He endures forever;
His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His dominion has no end.
He rescues and delivers;
He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth,
for He rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”
Daniel 6:25-27

Declare His glory

Maybe, in the pit of lions that night, Daniel experienced in real time what he’d often repeated in song. 

Psalm 57.

And perhaps he felt, as I often do in the living lyrics of the Psalms.

God sees. God knows. And great is His faithfulness.

I will declare His glory. And praise His name forever among the nations!

What about you?

Do the psalms speak your language? How has the Lord ministered to you through these songs of David and others?

Related posts

Keep singing – Speechless – Sanctuary: Psalm 73 – Sing to Me – When I am afraid – Safest place – Exiles – To the ends of the earth – 

Psalm 57 – Daniel 6 –