“For the choir director; set to Al-tashheth. A Mikhtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave…. Be exalted above the heavens, O God; Let Your glory be above all the earth…. My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises! Awake, my glory! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations. For Your lovingkindness is great to the heavens and Your truth to the clouds. Be exalted above the heavens, O God; let Your glory be above all the earth” (Psa 57:0, 5, 7–11).
Like the superscriptions in Psalms 52–56, the superscription of Psalm 57 locates this psalm in the context of David fleeing from Saul (see 1 Sam 22:1; 24:4). In the previous psalm, David fought fear by clinging to God’s word (Psa 56:4, 10). In Psalm 57, he responds to the same crisis with another powerful weapon: praise.
Why is praise such a powerful response to the enemy? Because praise reorients us to the truth that God is infinitely greater than our enemies.
Psalm 57 is divided into two halves. Both begin with David’s distress and the threat against his life (Psa 57:1–4; 6), and both conclude with the exaltation of God’s glory above the heavens (vv. 5, 11). In each section, David’s passion for God’s glory is driven by God’s “lovingkindness” (chesed) and truth (emet), which extend beyond the skies (vv. 3, 10).
Given his miserable circumstances, David could easily have made himself the guest of honor at his own pity party. Instead, he chose to throw a party of praise for God. As David sang and praised God despite his circumstances, his hiding cave was transformed into a sanctuary of praise. (The acoustics must have been fantastic.)
Why is praise such a powerful response to the enemy? Because praise reorients us to the truth that God is infinitely greater than our enemies. More importantly, praise reorients our hearts toward the glory of God, reminding us that life is not about us, but about him.
