Read: Psalm 57:1–5 & Luke 22:63–71
Lions, Tongues, and Swords
Psalm 57:4 – “My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts—children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.”
In Psalm 57 David writes about his trials at the hands of King Saul. Saul had become jealous of David’s success, and the “little green monster” in his heart made him think badly of David. Saul began to resent the younger man’s success and popularity and he started to believe David was plotting to take over the kingship (1 Sam. 18:8). Though David had only been a loyal subject and soldier and though he held the king in high esteem, yet Saul turned on him. The wicked king became like a roaring lion seeking to devour his prey (Prov. 28:15).
David’s experiences are a kind of prophecy which teach us about Christ’s experiences. Think about the parallels: the chief priests, the official leaders of Israel, had become jealous of Jesus’ success as preacher and teacher (Matt. 27:18). He could do what they never even tried to do: faithfully shepherd the people. The “little green monster” lived also in their hearts and from early on in Jesus’ ministry, they began plotting his death (Luke 6:11) until at long last they had him in their clutches.
Israel’s shepherd leaders became lions tearing at Jesus’ flesh and soul. With Jesus arrested and bound up, their underlings mock and beat 
him. Their “teeth are spears and arrows.” Here is the greatest prophet of all who always spoke his Father’s word faithfully, and they play a crude game of “Blind Man’s Bluff,” heaping scorn. Do you see his humiliation and feel a little of his misery?
Ridicule and beatings are awful, but just as nasty are lies and unjust judgments. After a sleepless night and with no defence lawyer, the exhausted and battered Jesus of Nazareth is made to stand in front of Israel’s ruling assembly. The leaders press him hard: “If you are the Christ, tell us!” And when he speaks the truth, they condemn him to death. Their “tongues are sharp swords.”
Why did Jesus go through with this? So that God would be exalted “above the heavens” and his glory spread “over all the earth” (v. 5)! By going through with his Father’s plan, Jesus would give his life in exchange for the lives of his people. And those rescued people would be God’s trophy of grace before a watching world.
Praise God, then, who has sent from heaven and saved you (v. 3) through his only begotten Son!