Pastor’s Notes Psalm 57:5

“Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.“

(Psalm 57:5)

This psalm of David was written when he fled from Saul in the cave at Engedi (I Samuel 24:1-7). The word, Altaschith, included in the title essentially means ‘destroy not or destroy me not.’ This may indicate David’s intent (I Samuel 26:9). There are three other ‘Altaschith’ psalms: 58, 59, and 75.

In each of those psalms, the significant theme is the destruction of the wicked and the preservation of the righteous. In each case, David was in flight for his life. He cried out to God for deliverance. The word Michtam is thought to mean ‘a prayer.’ The theme of the psalm is David’ s plea for deliverance and his prayer of praise to God.

Notice in the first verse David cried out to God for mercy. He reminded God that he trusted in Him and with humble words David used the beautiful analogy of the shadow of God’s wings. The analogy is of the protective care the great eagle gives to its young making even the shadow a refuge. David fled for fear of life as Saul was in hot pursuit. It was a desperate time for him. He therefore sought God’s merciful deliverance until this time of trouble had passed, as in time it did.

Therefore, David paused to praise his Deliverer: “Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.” Spurgeon wrote, “This is the chorus of the Psalm. Before he has quite concluded his prayer the good man interjects a verse of praise; and glorious praise too, seeing it comes from the lion’s den and from amid the coals of fire.” David sought to exalt God above the heavens. Surly God’s glory is higher than all the earth.