LET THY GLORY BE ABOVE THE EARTH

The historical background to this psalm takes us back to the time when David was pursued by Saul, and was in danger of his life. When no human agency could help, David turns naturally to God. He is a refuge, as a mother eagle is to her defenceless chicks; she overshadows them with her wings. The people of God are not immune to the calamities of life, but He keeps them safe “until the calamities be overpast”, v. 1.

David’s God is “God Most High”, v. 2 R.V., who “performeth all things” for him. Abram knew God as “the most high God”, Gen. 14. 20, 22. Although this God is in heaven, He can send help all the way down to David’s hiding place to save him. Not only will David’s life be preserved, but his place in God’s plans will be vindicated, for “God shall send forth his mercy and his truth”, v. 3, in spite of savage inflamed men.

In the midst of all His personal problems, David turns his eyes to heaven and says, “Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth”, v. 5. Between the sharp sword of verse 4 and the net of verse 6, David rises above all his own troubles to praise God. Eventually, God justifies His persecuted servant, by turning the misfortunes planned for him by his enemies back onto themselves, v. 6.

The confidence that David has in his God means that with repeated confidence he is able to say, “my heart is fixed”, v. 7, and again he repeats his wish to sing praises to his God. He especially praises God for His mercy and truth; cf. v. 3 with v. 10. He finishes his praise by asking that God’s glory will be above all the earth, v. 11. It is one thing knowing oneself that God’s glory is in the heavens and on the earth, but how much greater it is to desire that others will become aware of it for themselves, and to use all one’s powers to bring this situation about.

Our knowledge of God through the Lord Jesus Christ is greater than David’s, yet how often his appreciation of God in day-to-day things surpasses our own. His ability to rise above his greatest personal trials to praise his God challenges us in our self-centredness. The apostle Paul in his sufferings for Christ looked not for his own ease, but for the thanksgiving of many to redound to the glory of God, 2 Cor. 4. 15.