Bible Study Notes 7/15/2025

WORD ALIVE! BIBLE STUDY ^©2025

Journey in the Psalms: Prayer, Praise and Promise

Concord Baptist Church of Boston in Milton – Conley Hughes, Jr., Senior Pastor

Quiet Time: Tracy M. Summer, Psalms: An All-In-One Study on God’s Song Book

Lesson 17

15 July 2025

Lesson 17, Psalm 57:1-11, NLT:  Pleading God’s mercy strikes at the heart of our immediate need. We become more transparent with God when danger is present. For all who have a trusting and confident relationship with God, this pleading is more than a desperate cry. It also is our abiding trust in a God, whom we know hears us. Of such pleading, the Apostle John says, “And we are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him.” Why wouldn’t God not like to see us triumph over our enemies? In this prayer, David is inevitably fleeing to the cave of Adullam, where he will find protection from King Saul and his soldiers. The first six verses (1-6) of this Psalm reveal an admixture of David’s confidence in God – and the reality of the dangers posed by his enemies. The final five verses (7-11) is David’s strong exaltation and praise of God for His unfailing love and faithfulness. God’s great divine compassion is within the earth and soars above it throughout the universe. David says when God is exalted, His “glory is revealed throughout the earth.” The danger of David’s enemies and foes is pale and powerless in comparison to the greatness and power of God.       

 Verses & Explanations for Psalm 57:1-11, NLT

Observe         Interpret     Apply

(Verses 1-3) – Abiding trust in God’s mercies.

(Verse 4) – The danger of enemies and foes.

(Verse 5) – Exalting God in a difficult season.

(Verse 6) – Perceiving the enemy’s trap.

(Verses 7-10) – Having a steadfast heart.

(Verse 11) – Exalting and glorifying God.

The Key Idea:

What We Believe!    

1. “Your word is a lamp to my feet  and a light to my path!”  - Psalm 119:105

Key Verses:

Psalm 57:1-3, NLT ¹ “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by. ² I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill His purpose for me.  ³ He will send help from heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hound me. Interlude My God will send forth His unfailing love and faithfulness.

Psalm 57:4, NLT

 ⁴  I am surrounded by fierce lions who greedily devour human prey - whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords.

Psalm 57:5, NLT

⁵ Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens! May your glory shine over all the earth.

Psalm 57:6, NLT

⁶ My enemies set a trap for me. I am weary from distress. They have dug a deep pit in my path, but they themselves have fallen into it.  Interlude 

Psalm 57:7-10, NLT

⁷ My heart is confident in you, O God, my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises! ⁸ Wake up my heart! Wake up, O lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song.  ⁹ I will thank you Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations. ¹⁰ For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Psalm 57:7-11, NLT

¹¹ Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over the earth.”  

Further Helpful Verses:

Exodus 34:6, NLT

⁶ “The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, ‘Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with   unfailing love and faithfulness.”

1 Corinthians 15:58, NLT

⁵⁸ “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immoveable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”