20150117 Saturday, January 17 2015
Psalm 057: The Historic Psalms

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave"

The Psalms were written as musical compositions with multiple purposes (see also Singing In History And Prophecy).

Some of the Psalms are prayers (e.g. see David's Prayer and When Does God Listen To Prayer?). Some of the Psalms are amazingly-accurate and detailed prophecies (e.g. see David's View From The Cross and The Patriotism Prophecy). Some of the Psalms are about how to live a truly Christian life (e.g. see How Are Your Sins Covered? and How Does Satan Impersonate Jesus Christ?). Some of the Psalms are historic (e.g. see When Man First Walked Upright and What Does Earth Mean?). The Psalms are often also a combination of two or more of those classifications.

The Israelite civil war (see Israel In History and Prophecy: The Civil War) actually had two major conflicts. While the Israelites were fighting each other, they were also at war with the hostile nations around them - primarily the militarily-powerful Philistines (see Where Is Palestine?).

The greatest difficulty that David faced during his war with Saul was that while Saul pursued David to kill David, David only fled from Saul to keep from killing Saul (see the Fact Finder question below to understand why David could not harm the LORD's anointed). A prime example is when David got the easy opportunity to kill Saul in the caves of Engedi - but spared his life.

"24:1 And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi. 24:2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.

24:3 And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. 24:4 And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily." (1 Samuel 24:1-4 KJV)

Afterward, righteous David felt remorse for even damaging Saul's clothing because "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD."

"24:5 And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. 24:6 And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD. 24:7 So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.

24:8 David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself. 24:9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? 24:10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD'S anointed. 24:11 Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it. 24:12 The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. 24:13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

24:14 After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea. 24:15 The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand." (1 Samuel 24:5-15 KJV)

The Fifty-seventh Psalm is primarily historic in that it was written "when he fled from Saul in the cave."

"57:1 To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.

Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.

57:2 I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. 57:3 He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.

57:4 My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

57:5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.

57:6 They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.

57:7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. 57:8 Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.

57:9 I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations. 57:10 For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.

57:11 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth." (Psalm 57:1-11 KJV)

Fact Finder: Why did the LORD reject Saul as King? Why did the LORD choose David as King?
See Saul's Impeachment and The Anointing Of David; also Why Didn't David Kill Saul?