6 They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down: They have digged a pit before me; They are fallen into the midst thereof themselves. Selah
The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; They have spread a net by the wayside; They have set gins for me. Selah
Jehovah upholdeth all that fall, And raiseth up all those that are bowed down.
Go, I pray you, make yet more sure, and know and see his place where his haunt is, `and' who hath seen him there; for it is told me that he dealeth very subtly. See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking-places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me of a certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah. And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah on the south of the desert. And Saul and his men went to seek him. And they told David: wherefore he came down to the rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard `that', he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon. And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.
He hath made a pit, and digged it, And is fallen into the ditch which he made. His mischief shall return upon his own head, And his violence shall come down upon his own pate.
The nations are sunk down in the pit that they made: In the net which they hid is their own foot taken. Jehovah hath made himself known, he hath executed judgment: The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah
O my God, my soul is cast down within me: Therefore do I remember thee from the land of the Jordan, And the Hermons, from the hill Mizar.
When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walk Have they hidden a snare for me.
Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, He shall fall himself into his own pit; But the perfect shall inherit good.
A man that flattereth his neighbor Spreadeth a net for his steps.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 57
Commentary on Psalms 57 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 57
Ps 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 Ps 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—(Ps 17:8; 36:7).
calamities—literally, "mischiefs" (Ps 52:2; 55:10).
2. performeth—or, completes what He has begun.
3. from … swallow me up—that pants in rage after me (Ps 56:2).
mercy and … truth—(Ps 25:10; 36:5), as messengers (Ps 43:3) sent to deliver him.
4. The mingled figures of wild beasts (Ps 10:9; 17:12) and weapons of war (Ps 11:2) heighten the picture of danger.
whose … tongue—or slanders.
5. This doxology illustrates his view of the connection of his deliverance with God's glory.
6. (Compare Ps 7:15; 9:15, 16).
7. I will … praise—both with voice and instrument.
8. Hence—he addresses his glory, or tongue (Ps 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.
9, 10. As His mercy and truth, so shall His praise, fill the universe.