My soul is among the lions; I lie down with ravenous beasts--with men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. Sermons
I. MARK GOD'S CHARACTER. When God proclaimed his Name to Moses, he put "mercy" in the forefront: "The Lord God merciful;" but "truth" had also its place, for it is added," abundant in truth" (Exodus 34:6). The same order is observed in the Psalms. Thus it is said (Psalm 86:15), "Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth (cf. Psalm 89:2). II. SHINE FORTH IN GOD'S JUDGMENTS. What God does shows what he is. His works express his character. Mercy and truth" are, so to speak, the rails on which his judgments travel (Psalm 25:10; Psalm 103:17). III. CHARACTERIZE GOD'S DEALINGS WITH HIS PEOPLE. They need "mercy; and unto the Lord "belongeth mercy" (Psalm 62:12). They need "truth," and God is "the God of truth" (Psalm 31:5). In the salvation which God has wrought, both are blended in beautiful harmony (Psalm 85:10). As has been quaintly said, "Mercy and truth are but the transverse arms of the cross of Christ. Righteousness and peace are but its upper and lower limbs. The one springs out of the earth, the other has looked down from heaven, and they have kissed each other, in token of God's love and of his reconciliation with the sons of men." IV. FOUNDATION OF HOPE TO THE CHILDREN OF MEN. Mercy and truth are the two outspread wings of God. Under them there is sure shelter and peace (Psalm 36:7; Psalm 61:1-4). Here there is hope for the sinner (Psalm 33:18, 22; Psalm 78:7; 167:11). Here there is comfort for the troubled in heart (Psalm 57:3-10). Here there is inspiration for all who are minded to serve God (Psalm 69:13; Psalm 98:3; Psalm 115:1). Here there is earnest and foreshadowing of the everlasting rest (Psalm 61:7; Psalm 63:7; Psalm 138:8). - W.F.
My soul is among lions. Some of you cannot say this, and you ought to be very thankful that you cannot. You live under very favourable circumstances. But there are many that are far less happily placed, and we are bound to remember them, and to sympathize with them. Now, when may a Christian man truly say, "My soul is among lions"? lie may say this when he is surrounded by those, whether in his home or place of business, who reproach and rebuke, jest and jeer at him, for Jesus Christ's sake. Many are so placed. Now, I would speak to such as are amongst these lions — dogs would be almost a better name for them.I. BY WAY OF COMFORT. 1. You will have fellowship with your Lord and His Church. He and they had to bear what you have, and far worse. 2. You should thereby be driven nearer to God. Be sure that you live near to God. 3. Endeavour to be very calm and happy. Take as little notice of the scoff as ever you can. Very seldom defend yourselves. The hammer strikes hard upon the anvil, but the anvil wears out many hammers. 4. Remember that the lions are chained. See the history of Daniel. 5. If your soul is among lions, there is another lion there — the lion of the tribe of Judah. The Covenanters have said that they never had such Sabbaths in Scotland as when they were hunted amongst the crags and glens by Claverhouse's dragoons. Great power, then, attended the Word. 6. You will come out of the lions' den unharmed. 7, And soon you shall be among the angels. II. BY WAY OF ADVICE. 1. If you dwell among lions do not irritate them. Some Christians do, and so have made matters bad for themselves. You cannot ram religion down people's throats, or scold people into it. 2. Do not roar yourself. Do not meet railing with railing, hard words with hard words. Do not get soured in spirits. Overcome evil with good. 3. But do not be cowardly. A lion is afraid of a man if he looks him steadily in the face. Courage is what is wanted. 4. Do not go out alone among them — take your Lord with you. 5. If you feel very weak about it you may pray the Lord in His providence to move you to quieter quarters. But, better still — 6. Ask for grace to stop with the lions and tame them. Sometimes the Christian should say, "God has made me strong, I will stop here and fight it out. My Master would have me go where I am most wanted, and so I will stay here." Do not be afraid of sinners, but seek to save them. ( C. H. Spurgeon.) People David, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Aflame, Arrows, Beasts, Breathe, Devour, Fire, Flames, Forth, Greedily, Lie, Lions, Midst, Ravenous, Sharp, Sons, Soul, Spear, Spears, Stretched, Sword, Swords, Teeth, Tongue, TonguesOutline 1. David in prayer fleeing unto God, complains of his dangerous case7. He encourages himself to praise God Dictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 57:4 4666 lion Library June 5. "My Heart is Fixed, O God" (Ps. Lvii. 7). "My heart is fixed, O God" (Ps. lvii. 7). We do not always feel joyful, but we are always to count it joy. This word reckon is one of the keywords of Scripture. It is the same word used about our being dead. We are painfully conscious of something which would gladly return to life. But we are to treat ourselves as dead, and neither fear nor obey the old nature. So we are to reckon the thing that comes a blessing; we are determined to rejoice, to say, "My heart is fixed, Lord; I will sing and give … Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth The Fixed Heart January the Thirty-First under his Wings Strong Faith in a Faithful God The Truth of God The Mercy of God Grace and Holiness. Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud The Gospel Message, Good Tidings Psalms Links Psalm 57:4 NIVPsalm 57:4 NLT Psalm 57:4 ESV Psalm 57:4 NASB Psalm 57:4 KJV Psalm 57:4 Bible Apps Psalm 57:4 Parallel Psalm 57:4 Biblia Paralela Psalm 57:4 Chinese Bible Psalm 57:4 French Bible Psalm 57:4 German Bible Psalm 57:4 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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