And then there are those days where everything seems to be going wrong, not by random accident but because people are deliberately out to get you. It’s like a nightmare where you’ve been surrounded by monsters: “I lie down among lions that greedily devour human prey; their teeth are spears and arrows, their tongues sharp swords” (Psalm 57:4). Or, to shift the metaphor, your enemies have devised a cunning trap: “They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit for my path” (57:6).

In the midst of such trials, I will “cry to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me” (57:2). Indeed, “in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge” (57:1). I’ll do this in the confidence that “God will send forth his steadfast love and his faithfulness” (57:3) to take care of me.

As for those who are out to get me: it seems I do want them to get what’s coming to them. I am a sinner in need of grace, just as much as they are; yet I still might like a little vengeance. Interestingly enough, the psalm recognizes that I have those feelings, and yet leaves it to God to take care of my enemies: whether they fall into the trap they intended for me (57:6), or find in the end that they have been put to shame (57:3), they are in God’s hands.

So my role turns out not to be getting even, but singing praise to the Lord. I’m going to sing loud! it’ll be loud enough to wake up the musicians, to wake up my own soul – loud enough to wake up the dawn (57:8). “I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations” (57:9). Because of who God is, I will have this confidence: “your steadfast love is as high as the heavens; your faithfulness extends to the clouds!” (57:10).

* * * * *

Let your glory be over all the earth, O God: near at hand, and to the most distant peoples and nations. I pray that you would keep my heart singing in each moment and each task, so that your name would be exalted in everything I do this day, in every moment of my life, and forever.

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