This psalm consists of a prayer for help- 64:1-2- A description of the enemy- 64:3-6- and a dramatic intervention by God- 64:7-10.

Key words:
hide- 64:2, 4 compare vs. 2 with  II Kings 11:2; II Chron. 22:11. 
tongue- 64:3, 8
arrow- 64:3, 7
shoot- 64:4, 7
blameless- 64:4, 6
suddenly- 64:4, 7
see- 64:5, 8
fear- 64:4, 9

Also listen for how Jesus fulfills the Psalm. 

Psalm 63

  David in the wilderness of Judea discusses his thirst, his longing for God.

He praises God- vs. 3, 5- He blesses God- vs. 4- He meditates on Him- vs. 6- sings for joy- vs. 7- clings to Him- vs. 8

Jesus fulfills Psalm 63. Please listen to how.

This psalm uses the Hebrew word translated "only" or "alone" some six times. Four of these times in passages about God Himself-(62:1, 2, 5, 6). God alone is our rock and our salvation.

What does the Psalm tells us about God? (62:1-2. 5-6, 7, 11-12)

Why is man such an empty object of hope and trust? (62:9-10)

What does the Psalm tells us about Christ?

What are some key words in the Psalm?
The word "hear" in vs, 1, 5
The word "refuge" in vs. 3, 4
The mention of "Your name" in vs. 5, 8

What does He say about God?
God leads HIm to the rock- vs. 2
God is His refuge and tower of strength- vs. 3
God is the One he fears- vs. 5 and praises- vs. 8
God supports and strengthens the king- vs. 6-7
God is One he looks to when his heart is faint- vs. 2

How does Jesus fulfill Psalm 61?
He cried to God and He heard- 61:1, 5; Heb. 5:7
Jesus is the Rock- 61:2; I Peter 2:4-8; Rom. 9:33
We find shelter under Jesus' wings- 61:4; Matt. 23:37-39
He is King forever- 61:6-7
Hebrews 7 emphasizes Melechizedek, who was both King and Priest. There is no record of his death and that is a picture of his continuing in these offices forever. Jesus fulfills this picture.
He exercises lovingkindness and truth- 61:7

This Psalm has a lengthy heading which ties in to David and Joab's conflicts with Edom recorded in II Sam. 8:13-14; I Chron. 18:12-13; and I Kings 11:15-16.

This most closely fits a national lament mourning a defeat in battle. Verses 5-12 are largely repeated in 108:6-13.

60:1-3 uses several verbs that stress God's hand in this crisis.

60:5 but the people are God's beloved

60:6-8 God has divided out the land among His people and He has promised to conquer Israel's foes

60:9-12 They beg God's help and aid in their conflict with Edom because only He can deliver and save. In the end they express confidence that He will

How does this psalm speak of Jesus?  Listen and consider.

This psalm has characteristics of an individual lament- 59:1-4- and a national lament- 59:5, 8, 13.

Some key themes in Psalm 59
1. David's description of his enemies- 59:1, 2, 3, 5, 6-7, 14-15

2. His evaluation of himself- He is innocent- 59:3-4; He puts his trust in God- 59:9, 16-17; He sings God's praises- 59:16

3. The urgency of David's requests for help- Four imperatives are used in 59:1-2; He calls God to arouse Himself to act on his behalf- 59:4-5; The imprecatory section of 59:11-13

4. What David says about God- God is his stronghold- 59:9, 16; God's lovingkindness is stressed- 59:10, 16, 17. God rules over the nations- 59:5, 8- and He mocks those who seek to defy Him- 59:8. He will demonstrate that He rules by His judgment- 59:11-13

This psalm opens by addressing the wicked
58:1-2 An address to the unjust judges

58:3-5 A description of them and the evil they do

58:6-9 A plea to God to judge these wicked people

58:10-11 The rejoicing and celebration at the fall of the wicked

The translation of the Psalm is difficult. Compare several translations at vs. 1 and vs. 9 to illustrate some of the difficulties in the psalm.

Is it legitimate to pray such prayers today?

How does Jesus fulfill the Psalm?

Possible connections between Psalm 57 and the background of I Samuel 24
1. The word for "wings" in Psalm 57:1 is the same word "edge" for Saul's garment in I Sam. 24:4, 5, 11, 11
2. The "sons of men" use their tongues against David in Ps. 57:4 and David asks Saul why he is listening to man (same word) who tell him David is trying to kill him.
3. They prepare a net for David's soul or life in Ps. 57:6 and Saul seeks David's life in I Sam. 24:11.
4. While Ps. 57:6 expresses the idea of Lex talionis, in I Sam. 24 Saul who is pursuing David is helpless in David's hands. 

Psalm 57 and Jesus
57:1 Compare Matt. 23:37 and Luke 13:34. 
57:5, 11 The word "exalted" translated in the Septuagint is the same word for Christ being "lifted up" on the cross- John 3:14; 8:28; 12:32
57:5, 11 God's glory is displayed in the cross- John 12:23, 28; 13:31-32; 17:1, 5
57:3, 10 God's lovingkindness and truth are pre-eminently displayed in the cross
57:9 God is praised among all nations and peoples- Romans 15:9

Title of the Psalm- Compare different translation here.
56:1-2 David begs for mercy because of wicked foes
56:3-4 David places His trust in God
56:5-6 The viciousness of HIs foes
56:7-9 Prayer for judgment on foes and God's care for him
56:10-11 David's trust in God
56:12-13 Thanksgiving for God's deliverance


Jesus experienced the same mistreatment that David wrote of in this psalm
56:1-2, 5-6 Compare what Jesus experienced with David
Jesus puts His trust in God in the midst of terrifying circumstances
56:3-4, 10-11 Compare Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:36
Jesus offered loud crying and tears
56:8 with Hebrews 5:7
God vindicated Jesus via the resurrection 56:13
One day God will eliminate all tears for HIs children- Revelation 7:15-17; 21:3-4

OT events seemingly alluded to in this psalm.
55:9 seems to allude to the tower of Babel in Genesis 11:1-9.
55:9-11 The picture of the wickedness of the city is quite a contrast with Psalms. 46 and 48.
55:15 "Let them go down alive into Sheol" Numbers 16:30-33

NT and Psalm 55
55:22 Casting our care upon God is encouraged in I Peter 5:7.
55:23 God hurling the wicked to destruction is in Revelation 19:20-21 among other places.  

Jesus fulfills Psalm 55
55:2, 4 The word used in the main ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament translated "anguish" in vs. 4 is a word that is used to describe the feelings of Jesus in John 12:27; 13:21.
55:6-7 Jesus wishes He could flee from HIs burden- Luke 12:49-50.
55:12-14, 20-21 Jesus was betrayed by one who was close to Him- Psalm 41:9; John 13:18