Trust in God, He is with you Psalm 57 - Commentary

For the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." Of David. When he had fled from Saul into the cave.

1 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,
for in you my soul takes refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.

2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who fulfills {his purpose} for me.

3 He sends from heaven and saves me,
rebuking those who hotly pursue me;
Selah
God sends his love and his faithfulness.

4 I am in the midst of lions;
I lie among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.

6 They spread a net for my feet—
I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path—
but they have fallen into it themselves.
Selah

7 My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.

8 Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.

9 I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.

10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 57:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term

We understand from the heading that Psalm 57 is written by David, when he fled from King Saul to the cave where he hide from King Saul and his army who were trying to catch him. From the first verse

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,
for in you my soul takes refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.

we can understand that he was in a terrible situation. He calls it as a disaster. He is asking to god for a deliverance from this disaster.

Let us look at the life of David. He was a country boy. A good Shepard of his fathers sheep. He was happily doing his duty. Taking care of his father's sheep. He has a harp. He loved to ply it and sing praise to God in his spare time. His life was going smooth. There was nothing to bother about. No tension. No problems. His brothers are healthy and were serving in the army of of King Saul. They were good fighters who are good in using Sward and spears. They have status and symbol in the society. But David was the youngest Son of Mr. Jesse of Bethlehem. Life was going good till the time the prophet Samuel came to his home town.

Prophet Samuel called Jesse and his sons for the Sacrifice when he came to Bethlehem. Then Samuel consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD." But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either." Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, "Nor has the LORD chosen this one." Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, "The LORD has not chosen these." So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives." So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one."So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah. (1st Samuel 16)

Here we can see the father Jesse let David in the field to look after the sheep. There was a important function in the town and the prophet invited them for the sacrifice. Jesse thought about his elder sons and brought them with him for the sacrifice. They were grown up and have good understanding. They were fighters. So he was proud to bring them along with him for the sacrifice. But he never give any importance to David his young child. He was in the field. Tending the sheep. Everyone thought that let him do the duty. Someone needs to be there to look after the sheep. What is the point in bringing him for the sacrifice. Everyone tried to keep him behind the seen. But God was looking for not the gown up fighters. God also asked to Prophet Samuel not to look at the outward appearance. In this world, people always look at the outward appearance. Prophet Samuel also tried to judge according to the outward appearance. Suddenly God intervened and stopped the prophet from anointing Eliab and informed him that God is not looking at outward appearance. God knows everyone, inside out. We cannot hide from God. God knows who you are and what is in your mind. He is not looking at what you are wearing or doing. He is not looking whether you are able to use laptop or mobile or expensive car etc. He just looking at your heart. How it is and what is in it. If it is clear and humble and simple, God loves it. God is chosen you to be his anointed one. Not for a simple thing. But to be the ruler of Israel. Let us examine our heart. How is it. Is it pure and humble. Is it love God. Is it find happiness in worshiping him. Is it love to follow His decrees. Is it love righteousness. Is it a loving heart. Love for all creatures. Love for everyone. If it is so, God will bless it. David's father and brothers tried to hide him behind the seen. But God has a plan for him. So he brought him out from the behind to the front. If God has a plan for you, He will bring you out to the front.

David has a good heart. God was pleased with his heart and thoughts. David has the courage to trust in the Lord. Who anointed him to be the ruler of Israel. He had a good relationship with God.

At first it was going well with David. First it was a job in King Saul's Palace, playing harp, then meeting the champion named Goliath, then the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes. As they danced, they sang:
"Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his tens of thousands."

It was nice to hear women singing praise. They came out to meet him with flowers and dancing. But the problem started from here. King Saul the most powerful man of Israel, once a friend and leader turned his foe now. Then the situation got changed in a moment and David call this situation a disaster.

That is why in the first verse he crying to God that “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,” Again he says to God that “for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.”

Yes now he is in a crisis which he calls a disaster.

Again David says, “I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills {his purpose} for me.” Really these words of David shook me. It shows his relationship with God. In this time of crisis David knows that God has a purpose for his life. All these troubles and problems are part of Gods purpose for Davids life.

When we go through the troubles and tribulations, what we think about it. Unless we have a good relation with God we won't be able to understand the purpose of these troubles. We all go through may troubles like being sick, financial problems, family problems, Problems with children, Debt, loss of loved ones, pain in the body or heart so on and so forth. Our friends will turn to our foes. Our parents will turn us down. But the question is shall we able to understand or identify the purpose of all these things. God has a plan and purpose for your life. Are we patient enough to wait and see the outcome of these troubles (or disaster in the words of David).

Let us see what David says at verse 3 “He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me; God sends his love and his faithfulness.” Ha! What an assurance he has? He says that God's love and faithfulness will save him and also God will rebuke those who hotly pursue him. God wants to give this same assurance to me and you. For that we need to have that heart and the relationship what David had with God.

Let us now examine ourselves. Whether we are having this kind relationship with God which David had? Do we have the hart to trust God fully and blindly? If yes, let me tell you, this assurance is for you.

Again David says the words of his faith: “I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts— men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. They spread a net for my feet— I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path— but they have fallen into it themselves.”

From verse 7 onwards David says what he is going to do form now onwards: My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. 8 Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. 9 I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. 10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. 11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

What an attitude. I love this Psalm due to this attitude and trust of David in God. I request my readers, please be pure in your heart and trust in God. And God will give you the courage and strength to overcome all your troubles and tribulations. He will be able to deliver you from all your disasters. Trust in God, He is with you.

History of Houseboats in Kerala.

Origin: Kerala is blessed with back waters and rich with man made and natural canals. Vembanad lake covering an area of 200 km and boarded by cities like Ernakulam (Cochin), Alappuzha (earlier it was known as Alleppey) and Kottayam. There was water route from Cochin to Kollam (Earlier it was know as Quilon) around 200 km. Kettuvallams were used to transport goods in bulk quantity from city to city. It has a carrying capacity of three truck load of goods. It would take 10 days to a full month to complete the journey. These cargo boats were mostly depend on wind. When there is no wind the boatman use long bamboo pols to move the boat. Normally there will be three to four boatman in a boat during the voyage. One stand in the front and the other in the back to push the boat forward. The other two will be preparing food and taking rest. Once the two get tired, the other two take charge and continue the voyage. If there is wind they put up the rig and open the canvas for sailing. This is a temporary arrangement and can be dismantle the same if there is no wind or if the wind is in opposite direction. There was no machine powered boats in that time. This mode of transportation was very cheap and convenient as most of the cities can be reached through canals. These cargo boats played a vital role in the economical development of ancient Kerala. There were approximate 5000 Kettuvallams which were used for moving cargo from different cities. “Kettu” means tie and “vallam” of “Vallom” means boat. The hull is a series of wooden planks, long cut and carved by the expert hands of the carpenter, tied together using coir with coconut fibers stuffed in between.

Due to the development in the road and rail transport facilities, these traditional slow mode of water transportation came to and end. People preferred speed over charm. Big size boats were of no use and many of the employees were losing their job as boatman. These boat repairing men and boat builders were out of work and those who were depend on these industry were in fear of losing their job. At this time someone came with the idea of turning this boat into Houseboat. At first it was in Alappuzha the houseboat came into life. It gradually developed and the tourism in Kerala came with the idea of house boat and turned these big boats into house boats equipped with diesel powered engine. It turned to be a success and found more profitable than the traditional water transportation. Many old boats which were useless bought from the boat owners in a cheap rate and transformed it into Houseboats. Also many boat owners turned their boats into houseboats. Houseboat designers came with new designs like one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom houseboats. Also the inside and outside of these houseboats transformed to match the five star hotel rooms to attract foreign tourists. Now it become the one of the major business in the Alappuzha District. Many travel agents in and outside India earning commission for promoting these Houseboats.

During the course of time it turned out to be a multi million dollar business and many depend on this business for their livelihood. The rich backwaters, lakes and canals in Kerala and the beauty of “god's own country” attract many foreign tourists for boating and cruise overnight in the backwaters.