Psalms 57:4

Psalms 57:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)My 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.
• New International Version (NIV)I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts— men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
• English Standard Version (ESV)My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts— the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
• New King James Version (NKJV)My soul is among lions; I lie among the sons of men Who are set on fire, Whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword.

Context of Psalms 57:4

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. My 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

Psalms 57:4 word by word

נַפְשִׁ֤י׀ בְּת֥וֹךְ לְבָאִם֮ אֶשְׁכְּבָ֪ה לֹ֫הֲטִ֥ים בְּֽנֵי־אָדָ֗ם שִׁ֭נֵּיהֶם חֲנִ֣ית וְחִצִּ֑ים וּ֝לְשׁוֹנָ֗ם חֶ֣רֶב חַדָּֽה׃Read the interlinear

• My soulנֶ֫פֶשׁnephesh · soulH5315
• amongתָּ֫וֶךְtâvek · midstH8432
• the lionsלְבִיlâbîy' lebîyâ' lebâ'îym lebâ'ôth · lionH3833
• I lie downשָׁכַבshâkab · to lie down: lay downH7901
• with ravenous beastsלָהַטlâhaţ · to kindleH3857
• with ravenous beastsבֵּןbên · son: childH1121
• menאָדָם'âdâm · manH120
• whose teethשֵׁןshên · toothH8127
• are spearsחֲנִיתchănîyth · spearH2595
• and arrowsחֵץchêts · arrowH2671
• whose tonguesלָשׁוֹןlâshôn lâshôn leshônâh · tongueH3956
• are sharpחַדchad · sharpH2299
• swordsחֶ֫רֶבchereb · swordH2719

Cross-references for Psalms 57:4

• Psalms 10:9He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket; he lurks to seize the oppressed; he catches the lowly in his net.
• Psalms 17:12like a lion greedy for prey, like a young lion lurking in ambush.
• Psalms 22:13They open their jaws against me like lions that roar and maul.
• Psalms 35:17How long, O Lord, will You look on? Rescue my soul from their ravages, my precious life from these lions.
• Psalms 58:6O God, shatter their teeth in their mouths; O LORD, tear out the fangs of the lions.
• Proverbs 28:15Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
• Daniel 6:22My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.”
• Judges 9:20But if not, may fire come from Abimelech and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire come from the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo and consume Abimelech.”
• James 3:6The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
• John 4:10Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God and who is asking you for a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”
• Proverbs 30:14there is a generation whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are knives, devouring the oppressed from the earth and the needy from among men.
• Psalms 52:2Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit.
• Psalms 55:21His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.
• Psalms 64:3who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows,
• Proverbs 12:18Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
• Proverbs 25:18Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.

Commentaries on Psalms 57:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4My soul is among lions - לבאם בתוך bethoch lebaim . I agree with Dr. Kennicott that this should be translated, "My soul dwells in parched places," from לאב laab, he thirsted. And thus the Chaldee seems to have understood the place, though it be not explicit. I lie even among them that are set on fire - I seem to be among coals. It is no ordinary rage and malice by which I am pursued: each of my enemies seems determined to have my life.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4My soul is among lions - That is, among people who resemble lions; men, fierce, savage, ferocious. And I lie even among them that are set on fire - We have a term of similar import in common use now, when we say that one is “inflamed” with passion, referring to one who is infuriated and enraged. So we speak of “burning” with rage or wrath - an expression derived, perhaps, from the inflamed “appearance” of a man in anger. The idea here is not that he…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-4These verses are a prayer for rescue from strong enemies. The metaphor of fierce lions describes human foes. The psalmist feels unable to escape them without God's help (see also Psalms 35:11–21; 124:6).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. The mingled figures of wild beasts (Psa 10:9; 17:12) and weapons of war (Psa 11:2) heighten the picture of danger. whose ... tongue--or slanders.Read the comment

Topics related to Psalms 57:4

• Arrow
• Enemy
• Malice
• Sword

In the dictionaries

• Altaschith
• Michtam
• Psalms
• Sword
• Psalms, Book of
• Song
• Lion

Commentaries on Psalms 57

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• The Treasury of David
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings