Psalms 57

King James Version (KJV) · English

1 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. 2 I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. 3 He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth. 4 My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. 5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth. 6 They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah. 7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. 8 Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. 9 I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations. 10 For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. 11 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.

Commentary — not Bible text

Psalms 57:1

PSALM 57

Psa 57:1-11. Altaschith--or, "Destroy not." This is perhaps an enigmatical allusion to the critical circumstances connected with the history, for which compare 1Sa 22:1; 26:1-3. In Moses' prayer (De 9:26) it is a prominent petition deprecating God's anger against the people. This explanation suits the fifty-eighth and fifty-ninth also. Asaph uses it for the seventy-fifth, in the scope of which there is allusion to some emergency. Michtam--(See on Psa 16:1, title). To an earnest cry for divine aid, the Psalmist adds, as often, the language of praise, in the assured hope of a favorable hearing.

1. my soul--or self, or life, which is threatened.

shadow of thy wings--(Psa 17:8; 36:7).

calamities--literally, "mischiefs" (Psa 52:2; 55:10).

Psalms 57:2

2. performeth--or, completes what He has begun.

Psalms 57:3

3. from ... swallow me up--that pants in rage after me (Psa 56:2).

mercy and ... truth--(Psa 25:10; 36:5), as messengers (Psa 43:3) sent to deliver him.

Psalms 57:4

4. The mingled figures of wild beasts (Psa 10:9; 17:12) and weapons of war (Psa 11:2) heighten the picture of danger.

whose ... tongue--or slanders.

Psalms 57:5

5. This doxology illustrates his view of the connection of his deliverance with God's glory.

Psalms 57:7

7. I will ... praise--both with voice and instrument.

Psalms 57:8

8. Hence--he addresses his glory, or tongue (Psa 16:9; 30:12), and his psaltery, or lute, and harp.

I myself ... early--literally, "I will awaken dawn," poetically expressing his zeal and diligence.

Psalms 57:9-10

9-10. As His mercy and truth, so shall His praise, fill the universe.

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