1 [[To the chief Musician, H5329 Altaschith, H516 Michtam H4387 of David, H1732 when he fled H1272 from H6440 Saul H7586 in the cave.]] H4631 Be merciful H2603 unto me, O God, H430 be merciful H2603 unto me: for my soul H5315 trusteth H2620 in thee: yea, in the shadow H6738 of thy wings H3671 will I make my refuge, H2620 until these calamities H1942 be overpast. H5674
2 I will cry H7121 unto God H430 most high; H5945 unto God H410 that performeth H1584 all things for me.
3 He shall send H7971 from heaven, H8064 and save H3467 me from the reproach H2778 of him that would swallow me up. H7602 Selah. H5542 God H430 shall send forth H7971 his mercy H2617 and his truth. H571
4 My soul H5315 is among H8432 lions: H3833 and I lie H7901 even among them that are set on fire, H3857 even the sons H1121 of men, H120 whose teeth H8127 are spears H2595 and arrows, H2671 and their tongue H3956 a sharp H2299 sword. H2719
5 Be thou exalted, H7311 O God, H430 above the heavens; H8064 let thy glory H3519 be above all the earth. H776
6 They have prepared H3559 a net H7568 for my steps; H6471 my soul H5315 is bowed down: H3721 they have digged H3738 a pit H7882 before H6440 me, into the midst H8432 whereof they are fallen H5307 themselves. Selah. H5542
7 My heart H3820 is fixed, H3559 O God, H430 my heart H3820 is fixed: H3559 I will sing H7891 and give praise. H2167
8 Awake up, H5782 my glory; H3519 awake, H5782 psaltery H5035 and harp: H3658 I myself will awake H5782 early. H7837
9 I will praise H3034 thee, O Lord, H136 among the people: H5971 I will sing H2167 unto thee among the nations. H3816
10 For thy mercy H2617 is great H1419 unto the heavens, H8064 and thy truth H571 unto the clouds. H7834
11 Be thou exalted, H7311 O God, H430 above the heavens: H8064 let thy glory H3519 be above all the earth. H776
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.