Psalms 57:2

KJV

I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth [all things] for me.

KJV (with Strong's)

I will cry {H7121}{H8799)} unto God {H430} most high {H5945}; unto God {H410} that performeth {H1584}{H8802)} all things for me.

Complete Jewish Bible

I call to God, the Most High, to God, who is accomplishing his purpose for me.

Berean Standard Bible

I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me.

American Standard Version

I will cry unto God Most High, Unto God that performeth all things for me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 57:2 is a profound declaration of David's unwavering trust in God amidst extreme peril, likely while fleeing from King Saul and hiding in a cave. Despite his desperate circumstances, David resolves to cry out to "God most high," acknowledging His supreme sovereignty and transcendent power. He expresses absolute confidence that this same God is actively "performing all things" for him, signifying God's faithful and purposeful intervention to bring His divine plans to completion on David's behalf, ensuring his ultimate deliverance and vindication.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 57:2 immediately follows David's urgent plea for mercy in [Psalms 57:1](/psalms/57-1 "Psalms 57:1 - David's Plea for Mercy"), where he seeks refuge "under the shadow of thy wings." This verse, therefore, is not merely a cry of desperation but a deliberate act of faith, establishing the object of his trust and the source of his hope. The superscription, "A Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave," provides the narrative backdrop, indicating that David's prayer is offered from a place of extreme vulnerability and imminent danger. The subsequent verses in [Psalms 57](/psalms/57 "Psalms 57 - David's Prayer in the Cave") continue to oscillate between expressions of dire threat and confident praise, demonstrating David's spiritual journey from fear to faith and ultimately to a commitment to glorify God.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The superscription points to a specific period in David's life, most likely the events described in [1 Samuel 24](/1_samuel/24 "1 Samuel 24 - David Spares Saul in the Cave"), where David and his men are hiding from King Saul in the cave of En Gedi. Saul, driven by jealousy and a desire to kill David, relentlessly pursues him. This context highlights David's precarious position: a hunted fugitive, unjustly persecuted by the reigning king, with his life constantly threatened. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, kings held immense power, and to be an enemy of the king often meant certain death. David's "cry" to God, therefore, is not a casual prayer but a desperate, life-or-death appeal to a higher authority than any earthly monarch—a God who alone can deliver him from such overwhelming odds.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**, presenting God not as a distant deity but as "God most high" (El Elyon), actively involved in the affairs of His people, "performing all things" according to His perfect will. It also highlights **Absolute Trust in Adversity**, showcasing David's model of faith that looks beyond immediate dangers to the ultimate power and faithfulness of God, even when human solutions seem impossible. Furthermore, it reinforces the theme of **God as the Ultimate Deliverer**, emphasizing that true salvation and vindication come not from human strength or cunning, but solely from God's sovereign hand, as seen in numerous instances of God's intervention throughout the Old Testament, such as the deliverance of Israel from Egypt in [Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Crossing of the Red Sea").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Most High (Hebrew, _ʿelyôn'_):** This term, often translated as "Most High," is derived from the root meaning "to ascend" or "to be high." When applied to God (as in **El Elyon**), it signifies His supreme transcendence, His exalted position above all creation, and His ultimate sovereignty. It emphasizes God's unmatched power, authority, and dominion, making Him the one true God to whom all appeals should be directed. For David, calling God "Most High" is an affirmation that no earthly power, not even King Saul, can thwart God's ultimate purpose or prevent Him from acting on David's behalf. It is a declaration of God's absolute supremacy over all circumstances and all earthly rulers.
* **Performeth (Hebrew, _gāmar'_):** This verb means "to complete," "to perfect," "to accomplish," or "to bring to pass." It carries the sense of bringing something to its destined end or fulfilling a purpose. When David states that God "performeth all things for me," he is expressing a deep conviction that God will finish what He starts, seeing His divine plan through to completion on David's behalf. It implies God's active, purposeful, and effective involvement in David's life, ensuring that His promises and purposes will be fully realized, regardless of the present difficulties. This is not a passive hope but an active trust in God's ongoing, perfecting work.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will cry unto God most high;":** This opening clause reveals David's determined resolve and the specific object of his fervent prayer. The act of "crying" (Hebrew, _zāʿaq_) implies an urgent, desperate, and often loud appeal, typical of someone in great distress. However, it is not a cry of despair but of faith, directed specifically "unto God most high." This designation of God as "most high" (El Elyon) is crucial, indicating David's theological understanding that the one he appeals to is the supreme, transcendent, and sovereign ruler of the universe, capable of intervening in any situation, no matter how dire. It is an act of humble submission and confident reliance on divine omnipotence.
* **"unto God that performeth [all things] for me.":** This second clause clarifies the basis of David's confidence and the nature of God's character. The repetition of "unto God" emphasizes the singular focus of his trust. The phrase "that performeth [all things] for me" is a powerful affirmation of God's active and purposeful providence. The word "performeth" (Hebrew, _gāmar_) suggests completion, accomplishment, and bringing to fruition. David believes that God is not merely aware of his plight but is actively working to bring His plans to completion on David's behalf, ensuring his deliverance, protection, and the fulfillment of His promises regarding David's kingship. It speaks to God's faithfulness to His covenant and His unwavering commitment to His chosen ones.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 57:2 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Invocation**, as David directly addresses God with a specific title, "God most high," establishing the sacred and authoritative nature of his appeal. This is coupled with a powerful **Declaration of Trust**, where David boldly states his intent to cry out and his conviction that God "performeth all things for me," transforming a moment of potential despair into an affirmation of faith. The entire psalm, and this verse within it, functions as a **Supplication**, a humble and earnest prayer for divine help. Furthermore, the "cave" (from the superscription) serves as a potent **Metaphor** for David's desperate and confined circumstances, making his outward cry and inward trust even more poignant. The phrase "all things" can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of God's providential care, implying that no detail or aspect of David's life is outside God's active management.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the doctrine of God's active providence and sovereign control over all circumstances. David's declaration that God "performeth all things for me" is a testament to the theological truth that God is not a passive observer but an engaged, purposeful orchestrator of events, working out His divine will in the lives of His people. It underscores the concept that even in the darkest "caves" of life, God's ultimate plan for His children will come to fruition. This unwavering confidence in God's faithfulness to complete what He starts is a cornerstone of biblical theology, assuring believers that God's promises are secure and His purposes will prevail, regardless of present trials or the strength of opposition. It invites believers to cultivate a deep trust in God's unfailing love and omnipotent power.

* [Philippians 1:6](/philippians/1-6 "Philippians 1:6 - God's Faithfulness to Complete His Work")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work for Good")
* [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 57:2 offers immense encouragement and a powerful model for believers navigating their own "caves" of distress, fear, or uncertainty. It reminds us that our response to overwhelming circumstances should not be despair, but a deliberate, faith-filled cry to the "God most high." This isn't merely an emotional outburst but a conscious act of placing our hope and trust in the One whose power transcends all earthly limitations and whose purposes cannot be thwarted. To believe that God "performeth all things for me" means embracing the truth that even trials, setbacks, and seemingly insurmountable obstacles are part of God's grand design, being meticulously woven together for our ultimate good and His glory. This perspective transforms our struggles into opportunities to witness God's active providence, fostering a deeper reliance on His faithfulness and a profound peace that transcends understanding.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "cave" or challenging situation are you currently facing, and how does David's "cry" to God most high resonate with your own experience?**
* **How does the belief that God "performeth all things for me" challenge or affirm your understanding of God's active involvement in your daily life?**
* **In what practical ways can you demonstrate your trust in God's sovereign plan, even when circumstances seem chaotic or contrary to your desires?**
* **How might acknowledging God as "Most High" change the way you pray or approach difficult decisions?**

### FAQ
**What does "God most high" signify in the context of Psalms 57:2?**

Answer: In Psalms 57:2, "God most high" is a translation of the Hebrew title _El Elyon_ (אֵל עֶלְיוֹן). This ancient and profound title for God emphasizes His supreme transcendence, His exalted position above all creation, and His ultimate sovereignty. It signifies that God is not merely powerful, but He is the highest authority, unmatched in power, dominion, and glory. For David, appealing to _El Elyon_ meant acknowledging that no earthly power, including King Saul who was relentlessly pursuing him, could stand against God's ultimate will or prevent Him from acting on David's behalf. It underscores God's absolute control over all circumstances and His ability to deliver from any peril, no matter how dire. This title assures David, and us, that the God to whom we cry out is fully capable of intervening and bringing His purposes to fruition.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 57:2 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied David's cry of trust and God's faithful performance. Just as David, facing mortal danger, cried out to the "God most high," Jesus, in His earthly ministry, consistently demonstrated absolute reliance on His Father, the God who "performeth all things." In the Garden of Gethsemane, facing the ultimate "cave" of suffering and death, Jesus cried out to His Father, submitting to His will even unto death on the cross ([Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")). God, the "Most High," indeed "performed all things" for Jesus, not by sparing Him from the cross, but by raising Him from the dead ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Jesus From the Dead")), thereby accomplishing the greatest work of salvation for humanity. Through Christ, God's promise to "perform all things" extends to believers, assuring us that He is actively working out His redemptive plan in our lives, conforming us to the image of His Son ([Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Romans 8:29 - Conformed to Christ's Image")) and bringing us to ultimate glory, even amidst trials. Our trust in the "God most high" is now firmly anchored in the finished work of Christ, who is Himself seated at the right hand of God, the ultimate demonstration of God's perfect performance ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ's Exaltation")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 138:8

The LORD will perfect [that which] concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, [endureth] for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

Philippians 1:6

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:

Hebrews 13:21

Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Isaiah 26:12

¶ LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.

Psalms 136:2

O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

Psalms 136:3

O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

Isaiah 57:15

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name [is] Holy; I dwell in the high and holy [place], with him also [that is] of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.