Psalm 57
לַמְנַצֵּ֣חַ אַל תַּ֭שְׁחֵת לְדָוִ֣ד מִכְתָּ֑ם בְּבָרְח֥וֹ מִפְּנֵי שָׁ֝א֗וּל בַּמְּעָרָֽה
BSB
In You My Soul Takes Refuge
(1 Samuel 22:1–5; Psalms 108:1–13; Psalms 142:1–7)
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul into the cave.
1Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy,
for in You my soul takes refuge.
In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter
until the danger has passed.
2I cry out to God Most High,
to God who fulfills His purpose for me.
3He reaches down from heaven and saves me;
He rebukes those who trample me.
Selah
God sends forth
His loving devotion and His truth.
4My soul is among the lions;
I lie down with ravenous beasts—
with men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.
5Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
may Your glory cover all the earth.
6They spread a net for my feet;
my soul was despondent.
They dug a pit before me,
but they themselves have fallen into it!
Selah
7My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast.
I will sing and make music.
8Awake, my glory!
Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
9I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations;
I will sing Your praises among the peoples.
10For Your loving devotion reaches to the heavens,
and Your faithfulness to the clouds.
11Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
may Your glory cover all the earth.
Introduction
Psalms 57
This psalm is very much like that which goes next before it; it was penned upon a like occasion, when David was both in danger of trouble and in temptation to sin; it begins as that did, "Be merciful to me;" the method also is the same. I. He begins with prayer and complaint, yet not without some assurance of speeding in his request (Psa 57:1-6). II. He concludes with joy and praise (Psa 57:7-11). So that hence we may take direction and encouragement, both in our supplications and in our thanksgivings, and may offer both to God, in singing this psalm.
To the chief musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.
Cross-references: Ps 57:1 · Ps 57:7