◄ Psalm 57:11 ►
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; may Your glory cover all the earth.
Study Bible
Be exalted, O God
The phrase "Be exalted" is a call for God to be lifted high, both in the hearts of believers and in the world. The Hebrew root for "exalted" is "rum," which means to rise or to be high. This reflects a deep desire for God's supremacy to be recognized universally. Historically, this plea is consistent with the ancient Israelite understanding of God as the supreme ruler over all creation, deserving of the highest honor and praise. In a conservative Christian perspective, this is a call for believers to live in a way that elevates God's name above all else, acknowledging His sovereignty and majesty.

above the heavens
The phrase "above the heavens" signifies the transcendence and incomparability of God. In Hebrew cosmology, the heavens were seen as the highest realm of creation, and to be above them is to be beyond all that is known and seen. This reflects the belief that God's glory and power surpass all earthly and celestial realms. For the conservative Christian, this is a reminder of God's omnipotence and the assurance that His divine plan is beyond human understanding, yet perfectly orchestrated.

may Your glory cover all the earth
"Your glory" refers to the visible manifestation of God's presence and majesty. The Hebrew word for "glory" is "kavod," which conveys weightiness and honor. The desire for God's glory to "cover all the earth" is a prophetic vision of God's presence being recognized and revered globally. This echoes the biblical narrative of God's ultimate plan for redemption and restoration, where His glory will be acknowledged by all nations. In a conservative Christian view, this is an encouragement to participate in the Great Commission, spreading the Gospel so that God's glory may indeed fill the earth as waters cover the sea.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The author of Psalm 57, David wrote this psalm during a time of distress, specifically when he fled from Saul into the cave. This context highlights his reliance on God amidst adversity.

2. God
The central figure in this verse, God is the one whom David seeks to exalt above all creation, recognizing His supreme authority and glory.

3. The Heavens
Symbolic of the vastness and majesty of God's creation, the heavens represent the highest point of exaltation that David can conceive.

4. The Earth
Represents the entirety of creation, which David desires to be filled with God's glory, indicating a universal recognition of God's majesty.

5. The Cave
The physical location where David composed this psalm, symbolizing a place of refuge and divine protection amidst his trials.
Teaching Points
Exaltation of God
Recognize that our primary purpose is to exalt God in every aspect of our lives, acknowledging His sovereignty and majesty.

God's Glory in Creation
Understand that all of creation is a testament to God's glory, and we are called to reflect that glory in our actions and words.

Trust in Adversity
Like David, we should seek refuge in God during times of trouble, trusting in His protection and deliverance.

Universal Recognition of God
Pray and work towards a world where God's glory is acknowledged by all, starting with our own communities and extending globally.

Personal Worship
Cultivate a heart of worship that seeks to exalt God above all else, both in private devotion and public life.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the context of David writing this psalm in a cave influence your understanding of his call for God's exaltation?

2. In what ways can you actively participate in exalting God "above the heavens" in your daily life?

3. How does the concept of God's glory covering the earth challenge or inspire you in your personal faith journey?

4. What other biblical examples can you find where God's glory is recognized or proclaimed, and how do they relate to Psalm 57:11?

5. How can you encourage others in your community to recognize and reflect God's glory in their lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 108:5
This verse echoes the same call for God's exaltation and glory to fill the earth, reinforcing the theme of God's universal majesty.

Isaiah 6:3
The seraphim proclaim God's holiness and glory filling the earth, paralleling David's desire for God's glory to be recognized universally.

Philippians 2:9-11
Paul speaks of Jesus being exalted and every knee bowing, connecting to the theme of God's ultimate exaltation and glory.
Sermons
Christ Our RefugeL. Shorey.Psalm 57:1-11
Expectation and Assurance of DeliveranceC. Short Psalm 57:1-11
One of God's RescuesW. Forsyth Psalm 57:1-11
Sorrowful, Yet Always RejoicingJ. Stalker, D. D.Psalm 57:1-11
Spiritual ExperimentalismHomilistPsalm 57:1-11
Exemplary PraiseAnon.Psalm 57:9-11
People
David, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
58, Chief, David, Exalted, Glory, Heavens, Higher, Honour, Lifted, Michtam, Musician, O, Psalm
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 57:11

     1045   God, glory of
     1145   God, transcendent
     1193   glory, revelation of
     5395   lordship, human and divine
     8646   doxology

Psalm 57:9-11

     5849   exaltation

Library
June 5. "My Heart is Fixed, O God" (Ps. Lvii. 7).
"My heart is fixed, O God" (Ps. lvii. 7). We do not always feel joyful, but we are always to count it joy. This word reckon is one of the keywords of Scripture. It is the same word used about our being dead. We are painfully conscious of something which would gladly return to life. But we are to treat ourselves as dead, and neither fear nor obey the old nature. So we are to reckon the thing that comes a blessing; we are determined to rejoice, to say, "My heart is fixed, Lord; I will sing and give …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Fixed Heart
'My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise.'--PSALM lvii. 7. It is easy to say such things when life goes smoothly with us. But this Psalmist, whether David or another, says this, and means it, when all things are dark and frowning around him. The superscription attributes the words to David himself, fleeing from Saul, and hiding in the cave. Whether that be so or no, the circumstances under which the Psalmist sings are obviously those of very great difficulty and oppression. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

January the Thirty-First under his Wings
"In the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge." --PSALM lvii. Could anything be more tenderly gracious than this figure of hiding under the shadow of God's wings? It speaks of bosom-warmth, and bosom-shelter, and bosom-rest. "Let me to Thy bosom fly!" And what strong wings they are! Under those wings I am secure even from the lions. My animal passions shall not hurt me when I am "hiding in God." The fiercest onslaughts of the devil are powerless to break those mighty wings. The tenderest little …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Strong Faith in a Faithful God
DAVID was in the cave of Adullam. He had fled from Saul, his remorseless foe; and had found shelter in the clefts of the rock. In the beginning of this psalm he rings the alarm-bell, and very loud is the sound of it. "Be merciful unto me," and then the clapper hits the other side of the bell. "Be merciful unto me." He utters his misery again and again. "My soul trusteth in thee; yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast." Thus he solaces himself by …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 61: 1915

The Truth of God
The next attribute is God's truth. A God of truth and without iniquity; just and right is he.' Deut 32:4. For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.' Psa 57:10. Plenteous in truth.' Psa 86:15. I. God is the truth. He is true in a physical sense; true in his being: he has a real subsistence, and gives a being to others. He is true in a moral sense; he is true sine errore, without errors; et sine fallacia, without deceit. God is prima veritas, the pattern and prototype …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Mercy of God
The next attribute is God's goodness or mercy. Mercy is the result and effect of God's goodness. Psa 33:5. So then this is the next attribute, God's goodness or mercy. The most learned of the heathens thought they gave their god Jupiter two golden characters when they styled him good and great. Both these meet in God, goodness and greatness, majesty and mercy. God is essentially good in himself and relatively good to us. They are both put together in Psa 119:98. Thou art good, and doest good.' This …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Grace and Holiness.
"Now God Himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."--1 THESS. iii. 11-13. There are few more precious subjects for meditation and imitation than the prayers and intercessions of the great Apostle. …
W. H. Griffith Thomas—The Prayers of St. Paul

Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Gospel Message, Good Tidings
[As it is written] How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! T he account which the Apostle Paul gives of his first reception among the Galatians (Galatians 4:15) , exemplifies the truth of this passage. He found them in a state of ignorance and misery; alienated from God, and enslaved to the blind and comfortless superstitions of idolatry. His preaching, accompanied with the power of the Holy Spirit, had a great and marvellous effect. …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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