Psalm 57 is traditionally associated with David’s fugitive period when he was fleeing from Saul and the psalm certainly seems to exemplify David’s heart cry during this period. This was a terrible time for David. He was driven to live in caves in the wilderness and his name and reputation was blackened. This psalm expresses David’s grief and desperation. This context makes the repeated refrain in verses 5 and 11 quite remarkable: “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.” Through all these troubles, what David wants most is to see God exalted and his name glorified. He is not primarily concerned about what people think of him (as indeed he might have during this time of false incrimination) but what people think about God. Imagine the difference that this would make in your life, if you allowed this concern to override all others? We get so preoccupied with what people think of us that we very often project a persona that we think will gain us favour with people. This rarely involves telling them that we are Christians. But imagine if you were more concerned about what people think about God than what they think about you. People harbour all sorts of misconceptions about God, and this should concern us. We must reflect a different vision to people and help them to understand, through our testimony and example, how great and loving God really is. In all your activities and conversations today, seek to exalt God rather than yourself.
Pray for those who need to come to know God.
Read Psalm 57.
