To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.” A Michtam of David when he fled from Saul into the cave.(Psalm 57)
As stated in the introduction, this psalm is entitled “Do Not Destroy” — which in Hebrew is אל תשחת al tashchet. It is inspired by the events that occurred when David hid from Saul in a wilderness cave. Saul, along with three thousand men, had pursued David into the wilderness of En Gedi. But inadvertently, the king wandered into the very cave where David and his men were hiding. Instead of yielding to the demands of his men to take Saul’s life, David cut off a piece of a garment that Saul had laid aside. Through this act of mercy, David demonstrated that, even then, he regarded Saul as his king, refusing to injure “God’s anointed” in any way. As David’s men impressed upon him that God had delivered his enemy into his hand, his response was al tashchet — “Do not destroy!”
David knew the nation had fallen into a state of moral decay under Saul’s leadership but, instead of giving in to how others might respond, David wanted to exhibit those attributes that rise above what the culture of that day might have expected and tolerated. Instead of acting out of hated and violence as Saul had, David decided not to fall into that trap. His actions exhibited the notion that God’s Will is attained through mercy, compassion and doing what is right in the eyes of God, not man. And so it is that David, not only fled from Saul into the cave but he also fled from the temptation to take the life of his helpless enemy.
This great example of righteousness, humility and mercy is overshadowed only by the example given to us by the Messiah. Obviously, His death on the cross is the pinnacle of these same attributes but there are other instances when His dedication to the Father’s purpose shown forth. One such example occurred when Samaritans refused to receive Him. In response, two of His disciples desired to call down fire upon this village to consume them. Yeshua rebuked them saying, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them” (Luke 9:55-56)
Herein is the point: we should not give in to what is deemed acceptable and righteous in the eyes of men; we should always act in accordance with what is good in the eyes of God. When we truly humble ourselves, we position ourselves to be promoted by the One whose opinion counts the most. In his heart, David knew this, which is why he acted with compassion toward his enemy rather than with the will to destroy. Likewise Messiah, the Son of David, gave us the standard which guides all of us in how to behave when confronted with belligerence, hatred and malice — humble ourselves before God and man, knowing the Lord will exalt us in due time. Seek not to destroy but to restore.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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