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Psalms 57

BSB·11 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Have mercy on meחָנֵּ֤נִיḥān·nê·nî — To show favor, mercy, or compassion; to be graciousH2603 — Full Word Study →, O Godאֱלֹהִ֨ים׀’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, have mercyחָנֵּ֗נִיḥān·nê·nî — To show favor, mercy, or compassion; to be graciousH2603 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → in You my soulנַ֫פְשִׁ֥יnap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → takes refugeחָסָ֪יָהḥā·sā·yāh — To take refuge; to seek shelter or safetyH2620 — Full Word Study →. In the shadowוּבְצֵֽל־ū·ḇə·ṣêl- — shadow; protection; shelterH6738 — Full Word Study → of Your wingsכְּנָפֶ֥יךָkə·nā·p̄e·ḵā — wing; edge, border, cornerH3671 — Full Word Study → I will take shelterאֶחְסֶ֑ה’eḥ·seh — To take refuge; to seek shelter or safetyH2620 — Full Word Study → untilעַ֝֗ד‘aḏ — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → the dangerהַוּֽוֹת׃haw·wō·wṯ — Calamity, destruction, ruin, wickednessH1942 — Full Word Study → has passedיַעֲבֹ֥רya·‘ă·ḇōr — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study →. 2I cry outאֶ֭קְרָא’eq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → to Godלֵֽאלֹהִ֣יםlê·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → Most Highעֶלְי֑וֹן‘el·yō·wn — Most High, elevated, supremeH5945 — Full Word Study →, to Godלָ֝אֵ֗לlā·’êl — God, Mighty OneH410 — Full Word Study → who fulfillsגֹּמֵ֥רgō·mêr — to complete, finish, or bring to an endH1584 — Full Word Study → His purpose for meעָלָֽי׃‘ā·lāy — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →. 3He reaches downיִשְׁלַ֤חyiš·laḥ — to send, let go, releaseH7971 — Full Word Study → from heavenמִשָּׁמַ֨יִם׀miš·šā·ma·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study → and saves meוְֽיוֹשִׁיעֵ֗נִיwə·yō·wō·šî·‘ê·nî — To deliver, rescue, or save from dangerH3467 — Full Word Study →; He rebukesחֵרֵ֣ףḥê·rêp̄ — to reproach, defy, or insult; to blasphemeH2778 — Full Word Study → those who trample meשֹׁאֲפִ֣יšō·’ă·p̄î — to pant eagerly; to desire intensely; to devourH7602 — Full Word Study →. Selahסֶ֑לָהse·lāh — Pause or SelahH5542 — Full Word Study → Godאֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → sends forthיִשְׁלַ֥חyiš·laḥ — to send, let go, releaseH7971 — Full Word Study → His loving devotionחַסְדּ֥וֹḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → and His truthוַאֲמִתּֽוֹ׃wa·’ă·mit·tōw — Truth; faithfulness; reliability; what is established and sureH571 — Full Word Study →. 4My soulנַפְשִׁ֤י׀nap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → is among the lionsלְבָאִם֮lə·ḇā·’im — Lion; symbol of strength and ferocityH3833 — Full Word Study →; I lie downאֶשְׁכְּבָ֪ה’eš·kə·ḇāh — to lie down, recline, sleepH7901 — Full Word Study → with ravenous beastsלֹ֫הֲטִ֥יםlō·hă·ṭîm — To kindle, ignite, or burn intenselyH3857 — Full Word Study →— with men whose teethשִׁ֭נֵּיהֶםšin·nê·hem — Tooth; ivory; sharp edge; cragH8127 — Full Word Study → are spearsחֲנִ֣יתḥă·nîṯ — Spear; a long-shafted weaponH2595 — Full Word Study → and arrowsוְחִצִּ֑יםwə·ḥiṣ·ṣîm — Arrow; projectile weapon or shaftH2671 — Full Word Study →, whose tonguesוּ֝לְשׁוֹנָ֗םū·lə·šō·w·nām — Tongue; language; speechH3956 — Full Word Study → are sharpחַדָּֽה׃ḥad·dāh — Sharp, keen, acuteH2299 — Full Word Study → swordsחֶ֣רֶבḥe·reḇ — sword; blade weaponH2719 — Full Word Study →. 5Be exaltedר֣וּמָהrū·māh — To raise, lift up, exalt; to be highH7311 — Full Word Study →, O Godאֱלֹהִ֑ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, aboveעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the heavensהַשָּׁמַ֣יִםhaš·šā·ma·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study →; may Your gloryכְּבוֹדֶֽךָ׃kə·ḇō·w·ḏe·ḵā — weightiness, honor, splendor, gloryH3519 — Full Word Study → coverעַ֖ל‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the earthהָאָ֣רֶץhā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →. 6They spreadהֵכִ֣ינוּhê·ḵî·nū — to establish, prepare, or make firmH3559 — Full Word Study → a netרֶ֤שֶׁת׀re·šeṯ — Net; mesh; network; trapH7568 — Full Word Study → for my feetלִפְעָמַי֮lip̄·‘ā·may — time, occasion, or instance of occurrenceH6471 — Full Word Study →; my soulנַ֫פְשִׁ֥יnap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → was despondentכָּפַ֪ףkā·p̄ap̄ — to bend, bow down, humble oneselfH3721 — Full Word Study →. They dugכָּר֣וּkā·rū — To dig; to plot or schemeH3738 — Full Word Study → a pitשִׁיחָ֑הšî·ḥāh — pit, cistern, or deep holeH7882 — Full Word Study → before meלְפָנַ֣יlə·p̄ā·nay — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study →, but they themselves have fallenנָפְל֖וּnā·p̄ə·lū — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study → into itבְתוֹכָ֣הּḇə·ṯō·w·ḵāh — midst, among, between, throughH8432 — Full Word Study →! Selahסֶֽלָה׃se·lāh — Pause or SelahH5542 — Full Word Study → 7My heartלִבִּ֣יlib·bî — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → is steadfastנָ֘כ֤וֹןnā·ḵō·wn — to establish, prepare, or make firmH3559 — Full Word Study →, O Godאֱ֭לֹהִים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, my heartלִבִּ֑יlib·bî — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → is steadfastנָכ֣וֹןnā·ḵō·wn — to establish, prepare, or make firmH3559 — Full Word Study →. I will singאָ֝שִׁ֗ירָה’ā·šî·rāh — to sing, make musicH7891 — Full Word Study → and make musicוַאֲזַמֵּֽרָה׃wa·’ă·zam·mê·rāh — To sing praises, make music to GodH2167 — Full Word Study →. 8Awakeע֤וּרָה‘ū·rāh — To wake up, rouse, stir up, awakenH5782 — Full Word Study →, my gloryכְבוֹדִ֗יḵə·ḇō·w·ḏî — weightiness, honor, splendor, gloryH3519 — Full Word Study →! Awakeע֭וּרָֽה‘ū·rāh — To wake up, rouse, stir up, awakenH5782 — Full Word Study →, O harpהַנֵּ֥בֶלhan·nê·ḇel — Skin bag or stringed instrumentH5035 — Full Word Study → and lyreוְכִנּ֗וֹרwə·ḵin·nō·wr — stringed musical instrument; lyreH3658 — Full Word Study →! I will awakenאָעִ֥ירָה’ā·‘î·rāh — To wake up, rouse, stir up, awakenH5782 — Full Word Study → the dawnשָּֽׁחַר׃šā·ḥar — Dawn, early morning, daybreakH7837 — Full Word Study →. 9I will praise Youאוֹדְךָ֖’ō·wḏ·ḵā — To give thanks, praise, or acknowledgeH3034 — Full Word Study →, O Lordאֲדֹנָ֑י’ă·ḏō·nāy — Master, LordH136 — Full Word Study →, among the nationsבָעַמִּ֥ים׀ḇā·‘am·mîm — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →; I will sing Your praisesאֲ֝זַמֶּרְךָ֗’ă·zam·mer·ḵā — To sing praises, make music to GodH2167 — Full Word Study → among the peoplesאֻמִּֽים׃’um·mîm — nation, people, communityH523 — Full Word Study →. 10Forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Your loving devotionחַסְדֶּ֑ךָḥas·de·ḵā — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → reachesגָדֹ֣לḡā·ḏōl — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → toעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → the heavensשָׁמַ֣יִםšā·ma·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study →, andוְֽעַד־wə·‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → Your faithfulnessאֲמִתֶּֽךָ׃’ă·mit·te·ḵā — Truth; faithfulness; reliability; what is established and sureH571 — Full Word Study → to the cloudsשְׁחָקִ֥יםšə·ḥā·qîm — cloud; dust; heaven; skyH7834 — Full Word Study →. 11Be exaltedר֣וּמָהrū·māh — To raise, lift up, exalt; to be highH7311 — Full Word Study →, O Godאֱלֹהִ֑ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, aboveעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the heavensשָׁמַ֣יִםšā·ma·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study →; may Your gloryכְּבוֹדֶֽךָ׃kə·ḇō·w·ḏe·ḵā — weightiness, honor, splendor, gloryH3519 — Full Word Study → coverעַ֖ל‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the earthהָאָ֣רֶץhā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Psalms 57
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Psalm 57 is a psalm of David written during a time of severe personal danger and distress, likely when he was fleeing from King Saul. The psalm beautifully demonstrates how a believer can maintain faith and praise even in the midst of life-threatening circumstances. Rather than focusing primarily on the danger itself, David pivots his attention toward God's mercy, protection, and worthiness of worship. This psalm teaches us that genuine trust in God is not passive resignation but an active, vocal choice to praise Him even when our circumstances are dire.

Verses 1–3: Crying Out for God's Mercy

David opens with an urgent, repeated plea: "Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me." The repetition emphasizes both the intensity of his need and the desperation of his prayer. Rather than trusting in military might or political allies, David declares that his soul trusts in God alone. The beautiful image of taking refuge "in the shadow of thy wings" speaks of God's protective care—a metaphor drawn from birds sheltering their young. This is not a temporary request; David commits to remaining in this place of trust "until these calamities be overpast."

In verse 2, David identifies God as "God most high" and affirms that He "performeth all things for me." This is a declaration of God's sovereign power and His personal commitment to David's welfare. Verse 3 moves from plea to confidence: God will act from heaven itself and will deliver David from those who seek to destroy him. The term "reproach" here refers not merely to shame but to the threat of being consumed by enemies. God's response will be characterized by both mercy and truth—His compassionate action rooted in His faithful, reliable nature.

Verses 4–6: The Reality of the Danger

David now describes his desperate circumstances in vivid, metaphorical language. His enemies are like lions, and he lies among those "set on fire"—perhaps meaning they are consumed with rage and malice. The weapons arrayed against him are numerous and deadly: "teeth are spears and arrows" and "their tongue a sharp sword." This teaches us that slander, lies, and harsh words can be as damaging as physical weapons.

In verses 5 and 6, despite the danger, David calls for God to be exalted above the heavens. Then he reveals a remarkable reversal: the enemies who have dug a pit to trap him have fallen into it themselves (verse 6). This is not David boasting in revenge but recognizing God's justice. The wicked's own schemes become their undoing—a principle woven throughout Scripture.

Verses 7–11: From Fear to Praise

The emotional and spiritual turning point comes in verse 7: "My heart is fixed, O God." Despite everything, David's heart is established, settled, and resolved. This fixed heart naturally overflows into song and praise. Verses 8–9 show David awakening early—a posture of discipline and dedication—to sing praises publicly among the nations. His commitment is not merely private devotion but public worship and witness.

The psalm concludes (verses 10–11) with affirmations of God's "mercy" and "truth," qualities so immense they reach to the heavens and clouds. The final verse repeats verse 5's refrain, bookending the psalm with the conviction that God alone deserves ultimate exaltation. This repetition reinforces that worship and God's glory are the ultimate answers to fear and trouble.

Application for Today

Psalm 57 calls believers to anchor their hearts in God's faithfulness during trials. When opposition, slander, or genuine danger surrounds us, our instinct is fear or retaliation. Instead, David models fixing our hearts on God's character and choosing to praise Him publicly. This is not denial of real trouble but the triumph of faith—recognizing that God's mercy and power supersede our circumstances. Like David, we are invited to wake early, lift our voices, and declare God's worth before a watching world.

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