Psalms57

David, fleeing from Saul, seeks refuge and mercy in God, trusting in His divine protection amidst severe danger. He describes his enemies as fierce and treacherous, yet expresses unwavering resolve to praise God for His great mercy and truth. David calls for God's glory to be exalted above all the earth, confident in His deliverance.
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A Prayer for Refuge Under God's Wings

1
To the chief Musician, Altaschith, 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. ​
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. ​

God's Sovereignty Over the Enemy

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. ​

Resolved Praise and Commitment to Worship

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. ​

Study Notes for Psalms 57

Verse 1

The superscription links this psalm to David fleeing Saul in a cave (1 Sam 22 or 24). 'Altaschith' means 'Do not destroy,' perhaps indicating the psalm’s purpose was to accompany a plea for preservation. David finds refuge not in the physical cave, but in the 'shadow of thy wings,' a powerful metaphor for God's protective presence, often referencing the Cherubim over the Ark.

Verse 2

David expresses confidence that God Most High (*El Elyon*) is sovereign and active in his life. The phrase 'performeth all things for me' emphasizes God as the one who brings David’s destiny—and the divine plan—to completion.

Verse 3

David anticipates a divine intervention from heaven. 'Mercy and truth' (*hesed* and *emet*) are covenantal terms, signifying God’s faithful love and reliability, which are the foundations of his deliverance.

Verse 4

This verse uses stark, hyperbolic imagery to describe the intensity of the danger. The enemies are likened to predatory 'lions' and their words and intentions are described as deadly weapons: 'spears and arrows' and a 'sharp sword.'

Verse 5

This verse serves as a sudden doxological refrain, interrupting the lament. By calling for God to be exalted 'above the heavens,' David shifts focus from his immediate peril to the ultimate, universal glory of God, affirming divine control over his circumstances.

Verse 6

David expresses confidence in the principle of divine justice: the wicked often fall into the very trap they set for the righteous (a common theme in Wisdom Literature, cf. Ps 7:15). The 'Selah' calls for a pause, emphasizing the certainty of this reversal.

Verse 7

The phrase 'My heart is fixed' (*nakon*) signifies firm resolve and unwavering commitment. David transitions from crying for rescue to declaring his determined intention to praise God, regardless of the surrounding threats.

Verse 8

'My glory' often refers to the psalmist's soul or tongue, the instrument used for praise. The commitment to 'awake early' suggests a dedication to immediate and earnest worship, making praise the first act of the day.

Verse 9

David’s praise is not confined to his private cave; he commits to public worship among the people of Israel and even 'among the nations.' This anticipates the universal scope of God’s redemptive work.

Verse 10

The reason for this universal praise is the boundlessness of God’s covenantal attributes. His 'mercy' (*hesed*) reaches to the heavens, and his 'truth' (*emet*) extends to the clouds, signifying immeasurable faithfulness.

Verse 11

The psalm concludes by repeating the doxological refrain from verse 5. This structural repetition frames the psalm as a unified progression from desperate prayer to confident, resolute, universal praise.

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