← The Psalm world
Illustration for Psalm 57: Be Exalted, O God

Psalm 57

Be Exalted, O God

When AfraidComfortPraise

David was hiding in a cave from his enemies, but he still sang to God! He took shelter under God's wings like a baby bird. Even in difficult times, David's heart was fixed on praising God. His glory is higher than all the heavens!

  1. 1Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful, for in You my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of Your wings until the danger has passed.
  2. 2I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me.
  3. 3He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me. Selah God sends His loving devotion and His truth.
  4. 4My soul is among lions; I lie down among ravenous beasts— men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
  5. 5Be exalted above the heavens, O God; let Your glory be over all the earth.
  6. 6They spread a net for my feet; I was bowed down in distress; they dug a pit in my path, but they themselves have fallen into it. Selah
  7. 7My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and make music.
  8. 8Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.
  9. 9I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing of You among the nations.
  10. 10For great is Your loving devotion, reaching to the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
  11. 11Be exalted above the heavens, O God; let Your glory be over all the earth.

What it means

David wrote this song while hiding in a cave from people who wanted to hurt him — and it is a song of praise. He pictured himself as a small bird sheltering under a big wing. You can praise God from inside the hard thing; you don't have to wait until it is over.

A little prayer

God, when things feel scary, let me shelter under Your wings like a little bird. Even now, before anything is fixed, I want to sing to You. You are higher than the heavens. Amen.

Memory verse

“Be exalted above the heavens, O God; let Your glory be over all the earth.”

Psalm 57:5 (BSB)

It is the psalm's refrain, sung in a cave and meant for the whole sky.

Talk about it

Questions with no single right answer — for a family table or a Sunday-school circle.

  1. David sang this while hiding in a cave. What is the strangest place you have felt calm?
  2. He pictures himself under God's wings like a chick. Why a bird and not a wall?
  3. He tells his own heart to wake up and sing. Can you tell yourself to feel something?
  4. What would you sing about if you were hiding?

Try this

Cave song

Build a den or turn off the lights under a table. Inside, sing or say verse 5 together. Talk about how it sounded in a small dark space.

You will need: A blanket and a table.

Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB)