David had no contingency plan for his life; he had no “Plan B”. He determined to trust God when he was a young man and no subsequent circumstance was going to divert him from that course of action. Even when he was a fugitive with a royal APB out for him. Even when he was desperately trying to stay a step ahead of King Saul and his bounty hunters. Even when he was hiding in a cave to avoid Saul’s capture and certain execution. David’s faith remained resolute.
From the depths of that cave, David wrote Psalm 57. This instructional composition is saturated with trust. David is not double-minded. He does not jettison his faith in God under adverse circumstances. He doubles down on his God, not his fears. “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge until these calamities have passed by. I will cry out to God Most High, to God who performs all things for me. He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. God shall send forth His mercy and His truth” (vv. 1-3).
He is in real danger; his foes are real, not imagined. His foes are fierce and determined. “My soul is among lions; I lie among the sons of men who are set on fire, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be above all the earth. They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down; they have dug a pit before me; into the midst of it they themselves have fallen” (vv. 4-6).
The reason for such a tenacious faith is plainly stated in verses 7-10. David’s heart is steadfast; fixed upon Jehovah. In the storm of persecution, David’s heart remains erect, immovable. “My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise. Awake, my glory! Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations. For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens and Your truth unto the clouds.”
David’s trustworthy God merits such steadfast loyalty. “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be above all the earth” (v. 11).
He still does.
