Psalm 57:5
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; may Your glory cover all the earth.
Be exalted, O God
The phrase "Be exalted" is a call for God to be lifted high, both in the hearts of believers and in the world. The Hebrew root for "exalted" is "rum," which means to rise or to be high. This reflects a deep desire for God's supremacy to be recognized universally. Historically, this plea is set against the backdrop of David's life, often pursued by enemies, yet consistently seeking God's elevation above his circumstances. It is a reminder that God's position is above all earthly powers and principalities, and His sovereignty is to be acknowledged in every situation.

above the heavens
The phrase "above the heavens" signifies the transcendence and majesty of God. In Hebrew cosmology, the heavens were seen as the highest realm of creation, a place of divine presence and authority. By stating "above the heavens," the psalmist emphasizes that God's glory and power surpass even the highest known realms. This is a call to recognize that God's dominion is not limited to the earthly or visible but extends beyond the universe itself, affirming His infinite nature and the boundlessness of His reign.

may Your glory
"Your glory" refers to the visible manifestation of God's presence and majesty. The Hebrew word for glory, "kavod," conveys a sense of weightiness or significance. In the biblical context, God's glory is often associated with His holiness, power, and the awe-inspiring nature of His being. The psalmist's prayer is for this divine glory to be evident and acknowledged by all creation, reflecting a desire for God's presence to be unmistakably recognized and revered.

cover all the earth
The phrase "cover all the earth" is a prophetic and hopeful declaration of God's pervasive influence and presence. The Hebrew word for "cover," "kasah," implies a complete and thorough covering, much like a garment enveloping a person. This imagery suggests that God's glory is not meant to be confined to a specific place or people but is intended to fill the entire world. It speaks to the ultimate fulfillment of God's kingdom, where His presence and righteousness are acknowledged globally, transforming every corner of the earth with His light and truth.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The author of Psalm 57, David wrote this psalm during a time of distress, specifically when he fled from Saul and hid in a cave. This context highlights his reliance on God amidst adversity.

2. God
The central figure in this verse, God is the one whom David seeks to exalt. The psalm reflects David's desire for God's glory to be recognized universally.

3. Heavens and Earth
These are the realms mentioned in the verse, symbolizing the vastness of God's glory and the extent to which David desires it to be acknowledged.

4. Cave of Adullam
While not mentioned directly in this verse, the cave is significant as the setting of David's refuge and the backdrop for his plea for God's exaltation.

5. Saul
The king from whom David was fleeing, representing the earthly challenges and threats that contrast with the divine protection and glory David seeks.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and Glory
Recognize that God's glory is above all creation, and His sovereignty extends beyond our immediate circumstances.

Prayer in Times of Distress
Like David, we should turn to God in prayer, seeking His exaltation and glory even when facing personal trials.

Universal Recognition of God's Glory
Aspire for a life that reflects God's glory, contributing to the broader recognition of His majesty across the earth.

Trust in God's Plan
Trust that God's plan is perfect, and His glory will ultimately be revealed, even when we cannot see it in our current situation.

Worship as a Response to God's Majesty
Engage in worship that exalts God, acknowledging His greatness and the vastness of His glory.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the context of David's situation enhance our appreciation of his plea for God's exaltation in Psalm 57:5?

2. In what ways can we actively participate in spreading the knowledge of God's glory in our daily lives?

3. How does the theme of God's glory in Psalm 57:5 connect with the New Testament teachings about Jesus' exaltation?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure that our prayers, like David's, focus on God's glory rather than solely on our personal needs?

5. How can we find comfort and strength in the truth of God's sovereignty and glory when facing our own "caves" of distress?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 108:5
This verse echoes the same plea for God's exaltation and glory, showing a consistent theme in David's writings.

Isaiah 6:3
The seraphim proclaim God's holiness and glory filling the earth, paralleling David's desire for God's glory to cover all the earth.

Philippians 2:9-11
Paul speaks of Jesus being exalted and every knee bowing, connecting to the theme of God's ultimate exaltation.

Habakkuk 2:14
The prophecy that the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord aligns with David's prayer for God's glory to cover the earth.
The Lord Alone ExaltedJoseph Irons.Psalm 57:5
Christ Our RefugeL. Shorey.Psalm 57:1-11
Expectation and Assurance of DeliveranceC. Short Psalm 57:1-11
One of God's RescuesW. Forsyth Psalm 57:1-11
Sorrowful, Yet Always RejoicingJ. Stalker, D. D.Psalm 57:1-11
Spiritual ExperimentalismHomilistPsalm 57:1-11
People
David, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Exalted, Glory, Heavens, Higher, Honour, Lifted, O
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 57:5

     1045   God, glory of
     1145   God, transcendent
     1193   glory, revelation of
     8646   doxology

Psalm 57:1-6

     5086   David, rise of

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
'My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise.'--PSALM lvii. 7. It is easy to say such things when life goes smoothly with us. But this Psalmist, whether David or another, says this, and means it, when all things are dark and frowning around him. The superscription attributes the words to David himself, fleeing from Saul, and hiding in the cave. Whether that be so or no, the circumstances under which the Psalmist sings are obviously those of very great difficulty and oppression.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

January the Thirty-First under his Wings
"In the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge." --PSALM lvii. Could anything be more tenderly gracious than this figure of hiding under the shadow of God's wings? It speaks of bosom-warmth, and bosom-shelter, and bosom-rest. "Let me to Thy bosom fly!" And what strong wings they are! Under those wings I am secure even from the lions. My animal passions shall not hurt me when I am "hiding in God." The fiercest onslaughts of the devil are powerless to break those mighty wings. The tenderest little
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Strong Faith in a Faithful God
DAVID was in the cave of Adullam. He had fled from Saul, his remorseless foe; and had found shelter in the clefts of the rock. In the beginning of this psalm he rings the alarm-bell, and very loud is the sound of it. "Be merciful unto me," and then the clapper hits the other side of the bell. "Be merciful unto me." He utters his misery again and again. "My soul trusteth in thee; yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast." Thus he solaces himself by
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 61: 1915

The Truth of God
The next attribute is God's truth. A God of truth and without iniquity; just and right is he.' Deut 32:4. For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.' Psa 57:10. Plenteous in truth.' Psa 86:15. I. God is the truth. He is true in a physical sense; true in his being: he has a real subsistence, and gives a being to others. He is true in a moral sense; he is true sine errore, without errors; et sine fallacia, without deceit. God is prima veritas, the pattern and prototype
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Mercy of God
The next attribute is God's goodness or mercy. Mercy is the result and effect of God's goodness. Psa 33:5. So then this is the next attribute, God's goodness or mercy. The most learned of the heathens thought they gave their god Jupiter two golden characters when they styled him good and great. Both these meet in God, goodness and greatness, majesty and mercy. God is essentially good in himself and relatively good to us. They are both put together in Psa 119:98. Thou art good, and doest good.' This
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Grace and Holiness.
"Now God Himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."--1 THESS. iii. 11-13. There are few more precious subjects for meditation and imitation than the prayers and intercessions of the great Apostle.
W. H. Griffith Thomas—The Prayers of St. Paul

Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Gospel Message, Good Tidings
[As it is written] How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! T he account which the Apostle Paul gives of his first reception among the Galatians (Galatians 4:15) , exemplifies the truth of this passage. He found them in a state of ignorance and misery; alienated from God, and enslaved to the blind and comfortless superstitions of idolatry. His preaching, accompanied with the power of the Holy Spirit, had a great and marvellous effect.
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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