What does Psalm 57:4 mean?
It may be difficult to praise the Lord during hard times (1 Thessalonians 5:18), but such a thing is possible. David exemplified this grateful attitude; though his words describe stressful danger (Psalm 57:1–3), he still praises God (Psalm 57:5) and avoids despair. In symbolic terms, he depicts his enemies as wild animals with mouths full of weapons. David identifies his enemies as "the children of man," to distinguish them from the Lord. In other psalms, David noted that threats from other men were nothing compared to the power of the One True God (Psalm 27:1; 56:4, 10–11).Daniel, an Old Testament prophet, also faced intense persecution. He also had reason to fear wild animals—literally, as he was thrown into a den of hungry lions (Daniel 6:16–23). The Lord kept Daniel alive, and he testified, "My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me" (Daniel 6:22). The Christian experiences attacks from the world and the Devil (John 16:33; 1 Peter 5:8). Yet believers can rely on God's loyal love and kindness (1 Peter 5:7), knowing the Lord provides strength to resist the Devil, the roaring lion (1 Peter 5:9; Ephesians 6:10–18).
