Psalms 57:3

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

He shall send {H7971}{H8799)} from heaven {H8064}, and save {H3467}{H8686)} me from the reproach {H2778}{H8765)} of him that would swallow me up {H7602}{H8802)}. Selah {H5542}. God {H430} shall send forth {H7971}{H8799)} his mercy {H2617} and his truth {H571}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He will send from heaven and save me when those who would trample me down mock me. (Selah) God will send his grace and his truth.

Berean Standard Bible

He reaches down from heaven and saves me; He rebukes those who trample me. Selah God sends forth His loving devotion and His truth.

American Standard Version

He will send from heaven, and save me, Whenhe that would swallow me up reproacheth; [Selah God will send forth his lovingkindness and his truth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 57:3 is a powerful declaration of King David's unwavering faith in God's active and decisive intervention amidst overwhelming peril. Despite being pursued by deadly adversaries, David confidently proclaims that God will dispatch His saving power from heaven, delivering him from the scorn and destructive intent of his enemies. The verse culminates in the profound assurance that this divine rescue is rooted in God's unchanging character, specifically His steadfast mercy and unassailable truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 57 is titled "A Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave." This superscription immediately places the psalm within a specific historical moment, likely when David was hiding from King Saul in caves such as Adullam or En-gedi (cf. [1 Samuel 22:1](/1_samuel/22-1 "1 Samuel 22:1 - David in the Cave of Adullam") and [1 Samuel 24:3](/1_samuel/24-3 "1 Samuel 24:3 - David in the Cave of En-gedi")). The psalm opens with David crying out for God's mercy and taking refuge "under the shadow of your wings" ([Psalms 57:1](/psalms/57-1 "Psalm 57:1 - Seeking Refuge Under God's Wings")), expressing his profound trust even as his "soul takes refuge" ([Psalms 57:1](/psalms/57-1 "Psalm 57:1 - My Soul Takes Refuge")). Verse 3 serves as the confident articulation of the divine response David anticipates, following his plea and preceding his declaration of God's glory ([Psalms 57:5](/psalms/57-5 "Psalm 57:5 - Be Exalted, O God")). The "Selah" functions as a pause, inviting reflection on the profound truth just stated, before the psalm continues to describe the enemies' traps and David's resolute heart.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's flight from Saul was a period of intense persecution, marked by betrayal, constant danger, and profound uncertainty. Saul, driven by jealousy and paranoia, relentlessly sought David's life, forcing him into a nomadic existence in the wilderness and caves. The "reproach" David faced was not merely verbal abuse but the public disgrace and humiliation of being hunted as a rebel, despite his anointing as the future king. The cultural understanding of divine intervention in ancient Israel was deeply rooted in their history, from the Exodus deliverance ([Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Crossing of the Red Sea")) to the conquest of Canaan ([Joshua 10](/joshua/10 "Joshua 10 - The Sun Stands Still at Gibeon")). God was understood as the sovereign Lord who actively intervened in human affairs, especially on behalf of His covenant people and His anointed. The imagery of being "swallowed up" would have evoked the terror of complete annihilation, a common fear in a world where survival often depended on military strength and political stability, neither of which David possessed in his fugitive state.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Intervention**, emphasizing God's ultimate control over all circumstances and His willingness to act decisively on behalf of His faithful. David's confidence is not in his own cunning or strength but in God's ability to "send from heaven." Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **Trust in God Amidst Adversity**, portraying David as a model of faith who, despite dire threats, fixes his hope on God's character rather than his immediate circumstances. This echoes the broader message of reliance on the Lord found throughout the Psalms (e.g., [Psalms 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God is Our Refuge and Strength")). Finally, it powerfully articulates the theme of **God's Unfailing Attributes as the Basis for Salvation**, specifically His "mercy" (Hebrew: *hesed*) and "truth" (Hebrew: *emet*). These attributes are not passive qualities but active forces that God "sends forth," guaranteeing His covenant faithfulness and reliability, as seen in passages like [Exodus 34:6](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6 - The Lord, a God Merciful and Gracious").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mercy (Hebrew, _ḥesed'_):** This profound Hebrew term signifies much more than mere pity. It encapsulates God's steadfast love, covenant faithfulness, loyal kindness, and enduring commitment to His people. It is a foundational attribute of God's character, often paired with "truth" or "faithfulness," emphasizing His unwavering devotion and reliability. In this context, it is the active, loyal love that compels God to deliver David.
* **Truth (Hebrew, _’ĕmet'_):** This word denotes firmness, reliability, faithfulness, and integrity. When applied to God, it means He is dependable, His promises are sure, and His character is consistent and unchanging. God's "truth" ensures that His actions align with His promises and His righteous nature, making His intervention certain and trustworthy.
* **Swallow me up (Hebrew, _bālaʿ'_):** This vivid verb literally means "to swallow," "to engulf," or "to consume." It is a powerful **metaphor** for utter destruction, annihilation, or complete absorption by an enemy. It conveys the sense of being overwhelmed and utterly destroyed, leaving no trace. David uses it to express the existential threat posed by his adversaries, who seek to utterly obliterate him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He shall send from heaven, and save me":** This opening clause expresses David's absolute conviction in God's transcendent power and willingness to intervene. "He" refers to God, whose dwelling is "heaven," signifying His ultimate authority and ability to act from a position above all earthly limitations. The act of "sending" implies a deliberate, purposeful dispatch of power or agents, ensuring David's rescue.
* **"[from] the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah.":** This specifies the nature of the deliverance. David seeks salvation from "reproach," which encompasses scorn, humiliation, and public disgrace, as well as from the one who seeks to "swallow him up," a vivid **metaphor** for total destruction or consumption by his enemies (Saul and his forces). The term "Selah" serves as a musical or liturgical instruction, prompting a pause for reflection and meditation on the profound truth just uttered—God's certain deliverance from existential threat.
* **"God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.":** This concluding declaration reveals the divine attributes that motivate and guarantee God's saving action. It is not arbitrary power but God's intrinsic character—His steadfast love (*ḥesed*) and His unwavering faithfulness (*’ĕmet*)—that propels Him to intervene. The repetition of "send forth" emphasizes the active, intentional deployment of these attributes as instruments of salvation, assuring David that God's very nature compels Him to deliver.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 57:3 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of confident hope. The most striking is the **Metaphor** of the enemy who "would swallow me up." This vivid imagery transforms the abstract threat of destruction into a concrete, terrifying act of consumption, emphasizing the overwhelming and annihilating intent of David's adversaries. The phrase "He shall send from heaven" utilizes **Divine Action Language**, portraying God as an active, sovereign agent who intervenes directly from His celestial throne, underscoring His omnipotence and transcendence. Furthermore, the verse employs **Personification** when it states that God "shall send forth his mercy and his truth." Mercy and truth are abstract divine attributes, but here they are depicted as active agents, dispatched by God to accomplish His saving will. Finally, the inclusion of **Selah** acts as a **Liturgical Marker**, inviting the reader or singer to pause, reflect, and internalize the profound theological truth that God's deliverance is rooted in His unchanging character.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 57:3 profoundly articulates the theological truth that God's intervention is not capricious but is deeply rooted in His unchanging character, particularly His covenant love (*ḥesed*) and faithfulness (*’ĕmet*). This verse connects to the broader biblical narrative of God as a deliverer who acts decisively from heaven, not merely from earthly power. It underscores the concept of God's active involvement in the lives of His people, providing salvation from both physical danger and the spiritual reproach of adversaries. The emphasis on God "sending forth" His attributes highlights that His very nature is the guarantee of His promises and the source of His saving power, assuring believers that His commitment to them is as steadfast as His own being.

* [Psalms 36:5](/psalms/36-5 "Psalm 36:5 - God's Steadfast Love and Faithfulness")
* [Psalms 89:14](/psalms/89-14 "Psalm 89:14 - Righteousness and Justice are the Foundation of Your Throne")
* [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - The Lord's Mercies Never Come to an End")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 57:3 offers a profound anchor for faith in times of overwhelming adversity. It calls us to shift our gaze from the magnitude of our problems or the power of our adversaries to the infinite power and unwavering character of God. When we feel "swallowed up" by life's challenges—whether they are financial distress, relational brokenness, spiritual attack, or physical illness—this verse reminds us that our deliverance comes from a divine source, from a God who is actively engaged in our lives. Our hope is not in our ability to escape or overcome, but in His ability to "send from heaven." Furthermore, it grounds our confidence in God's unchanging mercy and truth. We can trust Him not because we are worthy, but because He is faithful to His own nature and His covenant promises. This assurance empowers us to cry out to Him in prayer, knowing that His *ḥesed* and *’ĕmet* are actively working on our behalf, ensuring that His saving hand will reach down to rescue us from every reproach and threat.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "reproach" or overwhelming threat in your life currently feels like it could "swallow you up"?**
* **How does understanding God's "mercy" (*ḥesed*) and "truth" (*’ĕmet*) as active forces change your perspective on His willingness to intervene in your situation?**
* **In what practical ways can you "send forth" God's mercy and truth into the lives of others who are facing their own overwhelming challenges?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "Selah" in this verse?**

Answer: "Selah" is a musical or liturgical notation found frequently in the Psalms and Habakkuk. While its exact meaning is debated, it is generally understood as an instruction to pause, to reflect deeply, or to have a musical interlude. In Psalms 57:3, "Selah" immediately follows the declaration of God's deliverance from the one who would "swallow me up." This placement encourages the reader or singer to stop and meditate on the profound truth that God's intervention is certain and that He will indeed save His servant from utter destruction. It serves as an emphatic underscore, inviting a moment of solemn contemplation on the power and faithfulness of God before the psalm continues. It is a divine invitation to let the truth of God's saving action sink deeply into one's soul.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 57:3 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David's plea for God to "send from heaven, and save me" is perfectly answered in the incarnation of the Son of God, who was indeed "sent from heaven" to accomplish humanity's salvation ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Sent His Son into the World")). Jesus, the Lamb of God, took upon Himself the ultimate "reproach" of humanity, enduring scorn, humiliation, and the curse of sin on the cross ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Our Faith")). He allowed Himself to be "swallowed up" by death and the grave, only to triumphantly rise again, thereby delivering all who believe from the power of sin and death ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Death Swallowed Up in Victory")). Moreover, the verse's declaration that "God shall send forth his mercy and his truth" is perfectly embodied in Christ. Jesus is the very personification of God's *ḥesed* (mercy/steadfast love) and *’ĕmet* (truth/faithfulness) ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Through His life, death, and resurrection, God's mercy and truth were fully revealed and extended to humanity, offering forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal life to all who trust in Him, proving that God's saving intervention is both absolute and eternally secure in His Son.

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 40:11

¶ Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.

Psalms 43:3

O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.

Psalms 144:5

Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.

Psalms 144:7

Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children;

Acts 12:11

And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and [from] all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

Psalms 61:7

He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, [which] may preserve him.

Psalms 56:1

¶ To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.