The writer of Psalm 57 uses the Hebrew term, “Zamar,” to express praises to God through music and song. Zamar means "to pluck the strings of an instrument, to sing, to praise; a musical word which is largely involved with joyful expressions of music with musical instruments.”
The powerful thing about the Psalmist's praise is that it is given during a time of deep distress. It appears that enemies sought to steal his song, so to speak with cruel treatment. His heart was crushed. His spirit was broken. However, the Psalmist’s decision to exalt God even in the midst of great suffering teaches a powerful lesson for wounded.
Today, Shepastor reflects upon the Psalmist’s example of exalting God above every situation and circumstance in our lives.
Read further and be blessed!
Psalm 57: 5-11
5Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.
6They 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
7My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.
8Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
9I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
10For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
11Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.
In our text for today, it appears that the Psalmist had every reason to have a crushed spirit. Enemies had stolen “his song.” In verse 4 of our text, Psalm 57, the Psalmist declared,
4I am in the midst of lions;
I lie among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords
The Psalmist describes his circumstance as being “amidst lions, ravenous beasts, men whose teeth are as spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp as swords…
He’s in a bad place. Have you ever experienced the pain of being attacked by mean spirited people? Not necessarily physically attacked, but having your character attacked, your name dragged through the mud, your motives questioned, your every move considered suspect. Have you ever experienced a jealous co-worker or sibling, an insecure mentor or boss, an envious relative, a cruel bully – if you have, then you can relate to the Psalmist.
The pain inflicted by the tongue sometimes lasts years longer than any bruise caused by a physical punch. The feeling that someone is waiting to pounce on you, so to speak by speaking cruel words, or by plotting to get you removed or in trouble can break your spirit and make you feel sick. The Psalmist said that these enemies seemed to be as ravenous beasts – their treatment of him felt like a wild animal was tearing him from limb to limb. He was in some serious pain – He was without a song.
But not for long. Something happened within the Psalmist. He began to speak in His native Hebrew language and declared, “Zamar!”
He stepped over the pain of attacks and climbed up to the platform of his soul and began to pluck the strings of his heart and declared,
5Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.
6They 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
In the text you see the instruction, “Selah” – a term that is not to be spoken or pronounced, but an instruction to pause and think about what was just said.
The Psalmist said, “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.”
And then, he stops and thinks about what God has done and declares…
7My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.
He declared, “Zamar,” I’m going to make music and sing praises unto my God for He has delivered me from the snare of the enemy. When I think about God’s deliverance, God’s protection, God’s exaltation, God’s removal of the onslaught of the enemies attacks against me – when I stop and think about those who tried to kill my spirit, crush my dreams, steal my joy, scandalize my name, I yell, “Zamar!” The thought of God’s protection, shield, shelter, strength, grace, peace, power, anointing, favor the strings of my heart are plucked and I realize that I still have joy, I still have a song!
The Psalmist declared with strength, faith and determination – “My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast, I will sing and make music.” The Psalmist made a deliberate choice to sing praise unto God. He made up his mind to sing his song! Much in life will try to steal your song. Much in life will threaten to break your spirit, to crush your dreams, to laugh at your vision, to press down, your enthusiasm, but you’ve got to declare like the Psalmist – “Zamar!” I WILL sing and make music.
We must condition our hearts to say with authority, “Be exalted O God above the heavens, let your glory be over all of the earth.” In other words, we can learn a great lesson from the Psalmist who by extension was saying, “God be exalted over my enemies, be exalted over my situation, be exalted over my pain, be exalted over my circumstances – BE EXALTED, OH GOD ABOVE EVERY SITUATION AND CIRCUMSTANCE IN MY LIFE! Let your glory be over ALL of the earth!” The Psalmist made up his mind that he was going to sing his song. He said, “Zamar!” My heart is going to be an instrument to sing of your goodness, mercy, glory and grace! I WILL pluck the strings of my heart and I exalt you in my life – God I exalt you in my spirit, I exalt you above all that would seek to cast me down and I will praise your name! The Psalmist declared in so many words – “You ain’t gonna steal my song!”
Sing your song – exalt God in your life. Sing your song – cast down the demons of depression - exalt God in your life – proclaim His glory unto yourself – exalt God in your life – refuse to accept the enemies report – Isaiah raised the question, “Whose report will you believe?” Determine to believe the report of the Lord.
God’s steadfast love will keep you. Sing your song. Stop allowing the mean spirited attacks of the enemy to block you from plucking your heart strings. Shout, “Zamar” and proclaim – “Be exalted O God above the heavens, let your glory be over all of the earth and over ALL OF MY LIFE.
Is your spirit crushed? Have you lost your song? Are you struggling with exalting God in your life? Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com
Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
Thank you this was very uplifting and encouraging. So many people are wounded right in the body of Christ. I also started a blog. Myburntpancakes.blogspot.com
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