Psalm 57:5

EXPOSITION

Verse 5. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens. This is the chorus of the Psalm. Before he has quite concluded his prayer the good man interjects a verse of praise; and glorious praise too, seeing it comes from the lion's den and from amid the coals of fire. Higher than the heavens is the Most High, and so high ought our praises to rise. Above even the power of cherubim and seraphim to express it, the glory of God is revealed and is to be acknowledged by us.

Let thy glory be above all the earth. As above, so below, let thy praises, O thou great Jehovah, be universally proclaimed. As the air surrounds all nature, so let thy praises gird the earth with a zone of song.

EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS

None.

HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS

Verse 5.

1. The end which God has in view, both in heaven and
   earth, in a sinful and in sinless worlds -- his own
   glory.
   
2. Our duty to acquiesce in that end: Be thou, etc.
   -- Not self, not men, not angels -- Be thou
   exalted, etc. In this we should acquiesce --
   1. Actively, by seeking that end.
   2. Passively, by submission to his will. G. R.