November 5

1 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

2 I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.

3 He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth

4 My soul is among times: and I be even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

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

6 They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is towed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.

7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart fixed: I will sing and give praise.

8 Awake up, my glory: awake, psaltery and harp; I myself will awake early.

9 I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.

10 For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.

11 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.

This Psalm relates to the flight of David from Saul into the cave. This is recorded in 1 Sam. xxii.

"This song of complaint was written during the hours of suspense which David spent there, to wait until the calamity was overpast (verse 2); in which he only gradually gains a stout heart (verse 8). His life was really suspended by a hair, if Saul or any of his attendants had espied him!"—Augustus F. Tholock

"We have here prayer, 1-6, and praise, 7-11. The hunted one takes a long breath of prayer, and when he is fully inspired, he breathes out his soul in jubilant song."—C. H. Spurgeon

"Sincerity makes the Christian sing, when he hath nothing to his supper; David was in none of the best case when in the cave, yet we never find him merrier: his heart makes sweeter music than ever his harp did."—Wm. Gurnall

"It should alarm the wicked that they are contending with a people who sing and shout on the battle-field. Yea, they never sing louder than when most distressed and afflicted. Whether saints conquer or are conquered, they still sing on. Blessed be God for that. Let sinners tremble at contending with men of a spirit so heavenly."—Wm. S. Plumer.

Closet Promise.—Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of His servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.—Isa. 1. 10.

He has an especial tenderness of love towards thee for that thou art in the dark and hast no light, and His heart is glad when thou dost arise and say, "I will go to my Father." For He sees thee through all the gloom, through which thou canst not see Him. Say to Him, "My God, I am very dull and low and hard; but Thou art wise and high and tender, and Thou art my God. I am Thy child. Forsake me not." Then fold the arms of thy faith, and wait in quietness until light goes up in the darkness. Fold the arms of thy Faith, I say, but not of thy Action; bethink thee of something that thou oughtest to do, and go and do it, if it be but the sweeping of a room, or the preparing of a meal, or a visit to a friend: heed not thy feelings: do thy work.—G. MacDonald.