Psalm 57
David begins with prayer and complaint. · He concludes with joy and praise.
1To the chief Musician, Al–taschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. 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. 2I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. 3He 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. 4My 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. 5Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth. 6They 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.
7My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. 8Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. 9I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations. 10For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. 11Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.
King James Version (1769) · public domain
1For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, for in You my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until the danger has passed. 2I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me. 3He reaches down from heaven and saves me; He rebukes those who trample me. Selah God sends forth His loving devotion and His truth. 4My soul is among the lions; I lie down with ravenous beasts— with men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. 5Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; may Your glory cover all the earth. 6They spread a net for my feet; my soul was despondent. They dug a pit before me, but they themselves have fallen into it! Selah
7My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and make music. 8Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. 9I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing Your praises among the peoples. 10For Your loving devotion reaches to the heavens, and Your faithfulness to the clouds. 11Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; may Your glory cover all the earth.
Berean Standard Bible · public domain
1For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A poem by David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave. Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me, for my soul takes refuge in you. Yes, in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, until disaster has passed. 2I cry out to God Most High, to God who accomplishes my requests for me. 3He will send from heaven, and save me, he rebukes the one who is pursuing me. Selah. God will send out his loving kindness and his truth. 4My soul is among lions. I lie among those who are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. 5Be exalted, God, above the heavens! Let your glory be above all the earth! 6They have prepared a net for my steps. My soul is bowed down. They dig a pit before me. They fall into the middle of it themselves. Selah.
7My heart is steadfast, God. My heart is steadfast. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises. 8Wake up, my glory! Wake up, lute and harp! I will wake up the dawn. 9I will give thanks to you, Lord, among the peoples. I will sing praises to you among the nations. 10For your great loving kindness reaches to the heavens, and your truth to the skies. 11Be exalted, God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth.
World English Bible · public domain
Psalm 57 commentary
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706), public domain.
Verses 1-6
Verses 7-11
Key verses in Psalm 57
- Psalms 57:8
Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
- Psalms 57:2
I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.
- Psalms 57:1
To the chief Musician, Al–taschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. 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.
- Psalms 57:6
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.
- Psalms 57:4
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.