Psalms — Chapter 57
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1Be 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.
2I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.
3He shall send from heaven, and save from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.
4My 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.
5Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.
6They 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.
7My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.
8Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
9I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.
10For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.
11Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.
1Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me; For my soul taketh refuge in thee: Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I take refuge, Until [these] calamities be overpast.
2I will cry unto God Most High, Unto God that performeth [all things] for me.
3He will send from heaven, and save me, [When] he that would swallow me up reproacheth; Selah God will send forth his lovingkindness and his truth.
4My soul is among lions; I lie among them that are set on fire, Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword.
5Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; [Let] thy glory [be] above all the earth.
6They 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
7My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing, yea, I will sing praises.
8Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake right early.
9I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the peoples: I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.
10For thy lovingkindness is great unto the heavens, And thy truth unto the skies.
11Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; [Let] thy glory [be] above all the earth. Psalm 58 For the Chief Musician; [set to] Al-tashheth. [A Psalm] of David. Michtam.
1For the music director, according to the al-tashcheth style; a prayer of David, written when he fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, O God. Have mercy on me. For in you I have taken shelter. In the shadow of your wings I take shelter until trouble passes.
2I cry out for help to God Most High, to the God who vindicates me.
3May he send help from heaven and deliver me from my enemies who hurl insults. (Selah) May God send his loyal love and faithfulness.
4I am surrounded by lions; I lie down among those who want to devour me, men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
5Rise up above the sky, O God. May your splendor cover the whole earth.
6They have prepared a net to trap me; I am discouraged. They have dug a pit for me. They will fall into it. (Selah)
7I am determined, O God. I am determined. I will sing and praise you.
8Awake, my soul! Awake, O stringed instrument and harp! I will wake up at dawn.
9I will give you thanks before the nations, O Lord. I will sing praises to you before foreigners.
10For your loyal love extends beyond the sky, and your faithfulness reaches the clouds.
11Rise up above the sky, O God. May your splendor cover the whole earth.
1Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me, for my soul takes refuge in you. Yes, in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, until disaster has passed.
2I cry out to God Most High, to God who accomplishes my requests for me.
3He will send from heaven, and save me, he rebukes the one who is pursuing me. Selah. God will send out his loving kindness and his truth.
4My soul is among lions. I lie among those who are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
5Be exalted, God, above the heavens! Let your glory be above all the earth!
6They have prepared a net for my steps. My soul is bowed down. They dig a pit before me. They fall into the middle of it themselves. Selah.
7My heart is steadfast, God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises.
8Wake up, my glory! Wake up, lute and harp! I will wake up the dawn.
9I will give thanks to you, Lord, among the peoples. I will sing praises to you among the nations.
10For your great loving kindness reaches to the heavens, and your truth to the skies.
11Be exalted, God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth.
Summary
A lament turning to praise — David hides in a cave from Saul, taking refuge under God's wings until destruction passes; his heart is steadfast: 'Awake, my glory! I will praise thee among the nations.'
Authorship & Background
- Cry for Mercy and Refuge (vv.1-3)
- Description of Enemies (v.4)
- First Refrain: Be Exalted, O God (v.5)
- Enemy Trap Reversed (v.6)
- Steadfast Heart and Praise (vv.7-10)
- Second Refrain: Be Exalted, O God (v.11)
Map & Geography
- No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.
Reflection
- 1. God's wings are a refuge until storms pass (v.1). The storms WILL pass. This is temporary. God's protection is the shelter during the storm, not necessarily the removal of the storm. Wait it out under His wings.
- 2. A fixed heart can praise in any circumstance (v.7). David is in a cave, hunted, uncertain of his future — and his heart is "fixed." Stability of heart is not a product of stable circumstances but of settled trust.
- 3. Enemies' traps become their own judgment (v.6). Those who dig pits for the righteous fall into them. God turns evil strategies against their authors. You don't need to avenge yourself — wickedness is self-defeating.
- 4. Worship should be cosmic in scope (v.5). Even personal prayers should lift our eyes to God's universal glory. Our problems are real, but God is bigger than our problems. Let worship expand your vision beyond your cave.
- 5. Wake up early to praise (v.8). "I will awake the dawn" — don't let the day get ahead of your worship. The first voice of your morning should be praise, not anxiety.