(To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.” a Michtam of David when He fled from Saul into the cave.) Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by. (Psalm 57:1)

Where Do You Take Refuge?

The first king of Israel was Saul of the tribe of Benjamin and son of Kish. Saul was a very handsome man standing head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land. When the people demanded a king, Saul was chosen to lead the people of God. At first, Saul was a good king, but shortly after his reign began, the king began making bad decisions. After two years, Saul fought against the Philistines in Gilgal when he made his first grave mistake of offering a burnt offering rather than waiting for the prophet Samuel. When God told Saul to destroy the Amalekites utterly, Saul spared the king and the best of the flocks. Samuel declared to the king the Lord would remove his kingdom.

Samuel was told by the Lord to anoint another king for Israel, and David was selected. The young king would not take the throne for many years until the death of Saul. During this time, Saul was troubled by a distressing spirit. He was jealous of David after the young shepherd killed the Philistine champion, Goliath. The women would sing, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” Saul began to resent David with great hatred. The king started a ruthless campaign to kill David. On one occasion, David and his four hundred men found safety in the cave of Adullam. Later, David spares the life of Saul when he finds the king in a cave in the wilderness of En Gedi.

The background for Psalm 57 is unsure. It may be connected to one of the stories mentioned by the writer of 1 Samuel. The story could have been another occasion when David felt threatened by Saul and his army and found refuge in one of the many caves that dotted the landscape of Palestine. Whatever the circumstance, David found refuge in a cave and the knowledge of the Lord’s protection.

David uses beautiful language to describe the protection of God as the refuge in the shadow of His wings. Young birds will seek protection from danger under the wings of the parent bird. A mother hen will sweep her brood under her wings to protect them from danger. God will send from heaven to save His children with His mercy and truth. Facing the wrath of his enemies, David finds safety in the knowledge of God’s protective care. There is nothing to fear in the shadow of God’s wings.

Taking refuge in the Lord is the blessing of being a child of God in Christ. Through the blood of Jesus, the Christian will find refuge in the shadow of God’s wings to care for them against all danger. Satan has no power over those who abide in Christ. There is no condemnation for those in Christ. The Holy Spirit testifies to the Father of the needs of His children. Jesus taught His disciples to ask God to deliver them from evil. Peace fills the soul of the Christian. There is no greater joy than to find the shadow of God’s wings and His protection.