Psalms 57
Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me, for my soul takes refuge in you.
Second Book of the Psalms1
Be 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.
2
I cry out to God Most High,to God who accomplishes my requests for me.
3
He 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.
4
My 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.
5
Be exalted, God, above the heavens!Let your glory be above all the earth!
6
They 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.
7
My heart is steadfast, God, my heart is steadfast.I will sing, yes, I will sing praises.
8
Wake up, my glory! Wake up, lute and harp!I will wake up the dawn.
9
I will give thanks to you, Lord, among the peoples.I will sing praises to you among the nations.
10
For your great loving kindness reaches to the heavens,and your truth to the skies.
11
Be exalted, God, above the heavens.Let your glory be over all the earth.
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).