Catholic Commentary on Psalm 57

"My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music." (Psalm 57:7)

The Cave Prayer

Psalm 57 is connected to David hiding in a cave from Saul. The cave is one of the great images of the spiritual life: the enclosed, dark, apparently hopeless situation from which there is no obvious escape. David is there, and from the cave he cries to God. Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. The shadow of God's wings is a recurring image in the Psalter: the protective nearness of the divine presence, hovering over the vulnerable creature as a parent bird covers the young.

Even from the cave, the praise rises. I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. The hesed, the unfailing love of God, reaches to the heavens. The faithfulness reaches to the skies. The love of God is not earthbound. It is infinite in extent, and even a person hiding in a cave from a murderous king can look up and see it extending over them.

A Steadfast Heart

My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. The double declaration of steadfastness is the psalmist securing his own resolve in the moment. The heart that doubts must be told twice: steadfast, steadfast. Then the practical expression of the resolve: I will sing, I will make music. The decision to praise in the cave is the most powerful spiritual act available to the person who is trapped. It does not change the external circumstances. It changes the interior world from which the person faces those circumstances.

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, find your cave prayer today. The situation from which there seems no escape, the darkness that presses in from all sides. Say it twice to your heart: steadfast, steadfast. Then sing. Not because the cave has become comfortable, but because the love of God reaches to the heavens above you, even when you can see only the rock around you.

Prayer

Have mercy on me, my God. I take refuge in the shadow of your wings until this disaster has passed. My heart is steadfast. I will sing and make music. Your love reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

57
In You My Soul Takes Refuge
(1 Samuel 22:1–5; Psalms 108:1–13; Psalms 142:1–7)
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam * 57:0 Miktam is probably a musical or liturgical term; used for Psalms 16 and 56–60. of David, when he fled from Saul into the cave.
 
1 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy,
for in You my soul takes refuge.
In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter
until the danger has passed.
2 I cry out to God Most High,† 57:2 Hebrew Elohim-Elyon
to God who fulfills His purpose for me.
3 He reaches down from heaven and saves me;
He rebukes those who trample me.
Selah
God sends forth
His loving devotion and His truth.
4 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.
 
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
may Your glory cover all the earth.
 
6 They spread a net for my feet;
my soul was despondent.
They dug a pit before me,
but they themselves have fallen into it!
Selah
7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast.
I will sing and make music.
8 Awake, my glory!‡ 57:8 Or Awake, my soul!
Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
 
9 I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations;
I will sing Your praises among the peoples.
10 For Your loving devotion reaches to the heavens,
and Your faithfulness to the clouds.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
may Your glory cover all the earth.

*^ 57:0 Miktam is probably a musical or liturgical term; used for Psalms 16 and 56–60.

†57:2 57:2 Hebrew Elohim-Elyon

‡57:8 57:8 Or Awake, my soul!

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