Psa 57 | MHCC | e4.org | 1-6 All David's dependence is upon God. The most eminent believers need often repeat the publican's prayer, "God be merciful to me a sinner." But if our souls trust in the Lord, this may assure us, in our utmost dangers, that our calamities will at length be overpast, and in the mean time, by faith and prayer, we must make him our refuge. Though God be most high, yet he condescends so low, as to take care that all things are made to work for good to his people. This is a good reason why we should pray earnestly. Look which way we will on this earth, refuge fails, no help appears; but we may look for it from heaven. If we have fled from the wrath to come, unto Jesus Christ, he that performed all things needful to purchase the salvation of his people, will do for us and in us all things needful for our enjoyment of it. It made David droop to think there should be those that bore him so much ill-will. But the mischief they designed against him, returned on themselves. And when David was in the greatest distress and disgrace, he did not pray, Lord, exalt me, but, Lord, exalt thine own name. Our best encouragement in prayer, is taken from the glory of God, and to that, more than to our own comfort, we should have regard in all our petitions for mercy.

‏ Psalms 57

* David begins with prayer and complaint. (1-6) He concludes

with joy and praise. (7-11)1-6 All David's dependence is upon God. The most eminent

believers need often repeat the publican's prayer, "God be

merciful to me a sinner." But if our souls trust in the Lord,

this may assure us, in our utmost dangers, that our calamities

will at length be overpast, and in the mean time, by faith and

prayer, we must make him our refuge. Though God be most high,

yet he condescends so low, as to take care that all things are

made to work for good to his people. This is a good reason why

we should pray earnestly. Look which way we will on this earth,

refuge fails, no help appears; but we may look for it from

heaven. If we have fled from the wrath to come, unto Jesus

Christ, he that performed all things needful to purchase the

salvation of his people, will do for us and in us all things

needful for our enjoyment of it. It made David droop to think

there should be those that bore him so much ill-will. But the

mischief they designed against him, returned on themselves. And

when David was in the greatest distress and disgrace, he did not

pray, Lord, exalt me, but, Lord, exalt thine own name. Our best

encouragement in prayer, is taken from the glory of God, and to

that, more than to our own comfort, we should have regard in all

our petitions for mercy. 7-11 By lively faith, David's prayers and complaints are at

once turned into praises. His heart is fixed; it is prepared for

every event, being stayed upon God. If by the grace of God we

are brought into this even, composed frame of mind, we have

great reason to be thankful. Nothing is done to purpose, in

religion, unless it is done with the heart. The heart must be

fixed for the duty, put in frame for it; fixed in the duty by

close attention. Our tongue is our glory, and never more so than

when praising God; dull and sleepy devotions will never be

acceptable to God. Let us awake early in the morning, to begin

the day with God; early in the beginning of a mercy. When God

comes toward us with his favours, let us go forth to meet him

with our praises. David desired to bring others to join in

praising God; and in his psalms, he is still praising God among

the people, singing to Him among the nations. Let us seek to

have our hearts fixed to praise his boundless mercy and

unfailing faithfulness; and to glorify him with body, soul, and

spirit, which are his. Let us earnestly pray that the blessings

of the gospel may be sent through every land