We start this week with Psalm 57, which repeats this sentiment twice:

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth. (Psalm 57.5, 11, NKJV)

Under what conditions did David write this? Yep. He was under attack…again:

To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.” A Michtam of David When He Fled from Saul into the Cave. (Psalm 57, Introduction, NKJV)

And the rest is a prayer…

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me. He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up.

Selah [Just means “Think about it,” remember?]

God shall send forth His mercy and His truth. (Psalm 57.1 – 4, NKJV)

…and praise:

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise. Awake, my glory! Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations. For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens, And Your truth unto the clouds. (Psalm 57.7 – 10, NKJV)

“God will send forth his mercy and his truth…For your mercy reaches unto the heavens, and your truth unto the clouds.” Mercy AND truth. Both. Some of us need to learn to temper truth with mercy. Others need to make sure that they don’t sacrifice truth on the altar of mercy.

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1.17, ESV)

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ… (Ephesians 4.15, ESV)