Psalms 57-58

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

God's Protection for Believers

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BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The believer is protected from the lions by the wings of God.

  2. The believer is protected from the lions by the righteousness of God.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Don’t lose sight of the greater goal.

  2. It’s OK to pray Psalm 58 in context.

QUESTIONS

  1. What is the common theme of Psalms 56-60? What was the specific occasion of Psalm 57?

  2. Who were the lions David refers to in verse 4?

  3. What is the greatest goal in David’s mind?

  4. Explain the wide variety of translations for Psalm 58:1.

  5. Explain the phrase, “He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked,” in verse 10.

ANSWERS

  1. All five of these psalms address God’s protection of David in various circumstances of danger. The occasion of Psalm 57 was when David fled from King Saul, and hid in a cave.

  2. They are David’s enemies who are literally trying to harm him with spears, arrows, and swords. They are even trying to trap David as a wild animal with nets and pits.

  3. The glory of God, more important than even his protection and deliverance

  4. The Hebrew word used here can be translated gods, or in reference to people it can be translated mighty ones or rulers. In the context here it seems to refer to the unrighteous judges in Israel. They actually planned out their unjust rulings.

  5. David is confident that the Lord will subdue the wicked judges as in a military victory where the victors walked in the blood of the conquered foe.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Psalm 57:1 paints a beautiful picture of refuge – sitting securely under the wings of God. Has there been a time in your life when you have felt this security? How did it affect the way you went through your trial?

  2. As believers, how should we pray for our enemies? Psalm 58 is a major contrast to Matthew 5:44. Discuss the difference between enemies who attack us personally, and rulers who purposely plan and carry out unrighteous and wicked acts that blaspheme God and make a mockery out of what is just and right.

CHALLENGE

  1. The next time you feel under attack, will you turn to the Lord for protection?

KEY VERSES

  • “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be above all the earth.” Psalms 57:5

  • “I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations. For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens, and Your truth unto the clouds.” Psalms 57:9-10

  • “The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance; he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked, so that men will say, ‘Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely He is God who judges in the earth.’” Psalms 58:10-11

Old Testament, Psalms, TalksDeb HarmsPsalms 57-58