David, “a man after God’s own heart,” was the second king of Israel. His reign was 1,000 years before Christ came to earth. God used him, by inspiration, to pen many of the Psalms that are recorded in the Bible. The first king of Israel, King Saul, was still on the throne when David was anointed to take his place. The jealous Saul made several attempts on David’s life, and on one occasion David sought refuge in a cave. Psalm 57 is a record of his thoughts and prayers in the midst of this quiet solitude.
David prayed, “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. (Psalms 57:1)” David was one of the bravest, wisest, most formidable soldiers who ever fought in the victorious armies of Israel, and yet he refused to trust in his own prowess for protection, but threw himself on the mercies of God. He said, “I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth. (Psalms 57:2-3)”
Many in our day are trusting in themselves, or in the strong arms of boisterous men who they believe will deliver them in times of calamity, but no man will deliver them unless God wills it so. “Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. (Jeremiah 17:5)” God wants us to know that we were created in need of that which only He can provide.
The song writer captures the spirit of this truth when he wrote, “Lead on, O King eternal, the day of march has come; henceforth in fields of conquest your tents will be our home. Through days of preparation your grace has made us strong; and now, O King eternal, we lift our battle song.
Lead on, O King eternal; we follow, not with fears, for gladness breaks like morning where’er your face appears. Your cross is lifted o’er us, we journey in its light; the crown awaits the conquest; lead on, O God of might.”