Psalms 57

Psalm 57#sn Psalm 57. The psalmist asks for God’s protection and expresses his confidence that his ferocious enemies will be destroyed by their own schemes.

For the music director; according to the al-tashcheth style;#tn Heb “do not destroy.” Perhaps this refers to a particular style of music, a tune title, or a musical instrument. These words also appear in the heading to Pss 58-59, 75. a prayer#tn The precise meaning of the Hebrew word מִכְתָּם (miktam), which also appears in the heading to Pss 16, 56, 58-60 is uncertain. HALOT 582-83 s.v. defines it as “inscription.” of David, written when he fled from Saul into the cave.#sn According to the superscription, David wrote this psalm on the occasion when he fled from Saul and hid in “the cave.” This probably refers to either the incident recorded in 1 Sam 22:1 or to the one recorded in 1 Sam 24:3.

1Have 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 the sovereign God, 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 a sharp sword.

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 Master! 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!