Psalm 57

Psalm 57 starts with a cry for mercy and refuge and then expresses confidence in Him ("He will send..."). This psalm contains the verses that have been set to a familiar tune - "Be exalted, O God!"  That phrase is used twice in the psalm, and between those two instances is a section that talks about the dangerous circumstances the psalmist finds himself in -"They set a net for my steps.  My soul was bowed down."

However, most of the psalm is a celebration of Gods protection and a declaration of confidence and commitment.  My take-away is that, even though circumstances can appear desperate, we should have confidence in God.  He will protect and provide. "Let Your glory be over all the earth!" can be our song, even in dark hours.

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Psalm 74

My abbreviated paraphrase of this psalm is:  "Things are really bad!  Rise up, O God and show your power!"  Verse 12 is the turning point of those 2 ideas and it says "Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth"

My feelings from that psalm concern the reality of the battle that we are in.  There are great powers that oppose us as long as we are working for God.  But His power is greater and He is on our side.  Salvation in our realm is the object of His work and He (and us) will succeed.

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Psalm 69

This a fairly long Psalm that goes in a lot of directions.  It is a cry to God from a place of distress.  A few verses are clearly messianic ("they gave me sour wine to drink") but the biggest impact to me was vs 5-6:

O God, you know my folly;
the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.
Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me,
O Lord God of hosts;
let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me,
O God of Israel.

My desire to live in openness is reinforced here and the consequences of my failure in impact on my church and family is powerful.

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