Psalms 57:1-11 - Homilies By C. Short

Expectation and assurance of deliverance.

In many respects this psalm is very like the previous one. May be regarded under two general aspects. As expressing ―

I. THE PSALMIST 'S EXPECTATION OF DELIVERANCE FROM DANGER . ( Psalms 57:1-6 .) Founded:

1 . Upon his trust in God ' s tender protection . ( Psalms 57:1 ; Deuteronomy 22:11 , Deuteronomy 22:12 .) This faith in the tender love of God "has no parallel in heathen literature."

2 . God could not fail to perform or complete the work he had begun for him . ( Psalms 57:2 .) "He who hath begun a good work in you," etc. God does not abandon his own work.

3 . God ' s retributive justice must give the victory to the righteous . ( Psalms 57:3 , Psalms 57:4 , Psalms 57:6 .) The designs of wicked men recoil in the end upon themselves, and ensure their own destruction. This is true, in the long run, of God's providence.

II. THE JOYFUL , INWARD ASSURANCE OF DELIVERANCE . (Verses 7-12.)

1 . His heart is steadfast with fearless confidence in God . ( Psalms 57:7 .) The psalm records the gradual progress of his mind towards the highest rejoicing in the Divine deliverance.

2 . He calls upon himself to celebrate the praise of God in the highest strains . ( Psalms 57:8 .) "His glory," equivalent to "his soul." He will wake the dawn with his earnest, fervent songs.

3 . He will make his praises to sound forth among the heathen . ( Psalms 57:9 .) Not only among his own people.

4 . He calls upon heaven to unite with earth in praising the glory of God . (Verse 12.) His triumph in God over his enemies has now reached its culminating point.—S.