1. What is the circumstances to David writing this psalm? (title, 1 Samuel 21:10-22:2, 27:1-7; 1 Chronicles 18:1) What was his state? (1-2) What did he do? When David was afraid, what did he decide and state? (3) What is the cause of fear? What is there to be afraid of?
2. What were his enemies doing? (5-6) Who else experienced this? Is this gossip only? How is is different and similar?
3. What does David do instead of seeking revenge? (7) Why does he bring up "the nations"? What does him mentioning his tears tell us about his continence?
4. What does David mean by the Word of God? (10-11) Why is he bringing it up in this psalm? What does the Bible have to say about the Word of God? What do you say?
5. What vow might David talking about in verse 12? Why does he remind himself of it? What does that tell us about the importance of keeping a vow? What does it mean to "walk before God in the light of life"?
II. Ravenous Beasts (57:1-6)
6. What does the title indicate is the occasion when David wrote this psalm? Why was David asking for mercy? What does it mean "my soul takes refuse"?
7. Where did lions hide in the day time so they could rest? (4) How did this inspire David considering where he was located? How did his position in the cave relate to his life predicament? (6)
III. I Will Praise You (57:7-11)
8. What did David say to God? (7) What does this say about his faith in God? What did he decide to do? (8) Did this make sense?
9. As usual in the Psalter this psalm ends in praise. Where did David say he would praise God? Was this possible for him to do at that time? When was it possible? What was the character traite that would be the subject of his praise? (10)
