A Deer amid the Lions

Meaning in Psalm 57

Alfred D. Byrd

DAVID, running away from his foes,
Unholy Philistines who sought his life,
Was forced to hide out within a cave.
In a place of darkness amid his fear
Of Saul, his king, a madman who loathed him—
David was faithful, but Saul could not see
The worth of the one anointed for rule—
And of foes from afar who hated his God,
The exile received the help of neighbors:
Others who'd tasted the evil of Saul
Showed up to make the exile their head,
Their king-to-be, the chosen of God.
In the cave, the exile called out in song:

"I'm like a deer amid the lions.
My foes, though human, are acting like beasts.
Their teeth are like knives; their hands have formed claws—
Their hearts are afire to skin and eat me!
Clever, my foes! They're laying a net
And setting a trap to capture my soul.
Be careful, my foes! Don't trap yourselves!

"My God, an eagle Who lives in the heights,
Must see all things that happen to me.
My God has told me, 'I have a purpose
Setting your life apart from others.
Someday, David, you'll come to the throne
Of those whom I've called to praise My Name.'
Recalling a promise made sure by my God,
I cry for mercy. 'Deliver my life!'

"The eagle, my God, has come for me.
Beneath the wings that shelter my soul,
I'm safe from the storm of rage and of hate
Raised up by the foes who seek my life.
To them, the eagle is judgment and death;
To me, a fountain of life and of hope.

"I sing to the One Who meets me with love.
I play my harp and send out my voice
To nations afar, unaware of God.
My God, the eagle Who flies in the heights
Above the heavens of cloud and of stars,
Has dazzled my eyes with glory undimmed.
Give thanks to God and call out in praise,
'Your love is faithful. Of all, You are king!'"

If this poem spoke to you, you may enjoy my Biblical epic poems

A Song of the One, the age-old account of Creatlon, Fall, Redemption, and Glory retold in verse for a new millennium, and

The Stars Bow Down: An Epic of Joseph, the timeless tale of a favorite son whose brothers sold him into slavery, but whom God raised from a prison to save the known world from famine.