Psalms 57:1

Psalms 57:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.
• New International Version (NIV)Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by.

Context of Psalms 57:1

For the music director, “Do Not Destroy,” a Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave. 2Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, for in You my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of Your wings I take refuge, until destruction passes by. 3I will cry out to El Elyon, to God who accomplishes it for me.

Psalms 57:1 word by word

חָנֵּ֤נִי אֱלֹהִ֨ים׀ חָנֵּ֗נִי כִּ֥י בְךָ֮ חָסָ֪יָה נַ֫פְשִׁ֥י וּבְצֵֽל־כְּנָפֶ֥יךָ אֶחְסֶ֑ה עַ֝֗ד יַעֲבֹ֥ר הַוּֽוֹת׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Be mercifulחָנַןchânan · be graciousH2603
• unto me, O Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
• unto me: for my soulנֶ֫פֶשׁnephesh · soulH5315
• trustethחָסָהchâsâh · to seek refugeH2620
• in thee: yea, in the shadowצֵלtsêl · shadowH6738
• of thy wingsכָּנָףkânâph · wingH3671
• calamitiesהַוָּהhavvâh · desireH1942
• be overpastעָבַר‛âbar · to passH5674

Cross-references for Psalms 57:1

• Psalms 58:1For the music director: “Do Not Destroy,” a Michtam of David.
• Psalms 59:1For the music director: “Do Not Destroy,” a Michtam of David, when Saul sent men to watch the house to kill him.
• Psalms 142:1A contemplative poem of David, when he was in the cave, a prayer.
• 1 Samuel 22:1So David walked from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and all his father’s house heard about it, they went down there to him.
• 1 Samuel 24:3When he came across the sheepfolds along the way where there was a cave, Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were already sitting in the innermost parts of the cave.
• Psalms 56:1For the music director: “A Silent Dove Far Away,” a Michtam of David, when the Philistines had seized him in Gath.
• Psalms 69:13Those who sit at the gate chatter about me, and I am the song of the drunkards.
• Psalms 119:76May Your lovingkindness comfort me, according to Your promise to Your servant.
• Psalms 9:10Adonai is a stronghold for the oppressed, a high tower in times of trouble.
• Psalms 13:5Or else my enemy will say: “I have overcome him!” and my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.
• Psalms 125:1A Song of Ascents. Those who trust in Adonai are like Mount Zion— it cannot be moved, but endures forever.
• Isaiah 50:10Who among you fears Adonai? Who hears the voice of His servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the Name of Adonai and lean on his God.
• Psalms 17:7Be wonderful with Your lovingkindness, O Savior of those taking refuge at Your right hand from those rising up against them.
• Psalms 36:7Your righteousness is like the mountains of God. Your judgments are like the great deep. You preserve man and beast, Adonai.
• Psalms 61:4For You have been a refuge for me, a tower of strength before the enemy.
• Psalms 63:7When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You through the night watches.

Commentaries on Psalms 57:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Be merciful unto me - To show David's deep earnestness, he repeats this twice; he was in great danger, surrounded by implacable enemies, and he knew that God alone could deliver him. My soul trusteth in thee - I put my life into thy hand; and my immortal spirit knows no other portion than thyself. In the shadow of thy wings - A metaphor taken from the brood of a hen taking shelter under her wings when they see a bird of prey; and there they continue to…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Be merciful unto me, O God - The same beginning as the former psalm - a cry for mercy; an overwhelming sense of trouble and danger leading him to come at once to the throne of God for help. See the notes at Psalm 56:1. For my soul trusteth in thee - See the notes at Psalm 56:3. He had nowhere else to go; there was no one on whom he could rely but God. Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge - Under the protection or covering of his wings…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1David begins with prayer and complaint. (1-6) He concludes with joy and praise. (7-11) Verses 1-6 All David's dependence is upon God. The most eminent believers need often repeat the publican's prayer, "God be merciful to me a sinner." But if our souls trust in the Lord, this may assure us, in our utmost dangers, that our calamities will at length be overpast, and in the mean time, by faith and prayer, we must make him our refuge. Though God be most high…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1shadow of Your wings: Like a bird protects its young, God protects those who trust in him (see Psalm 17:8).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-111. my soul--or self, or life, which is threatened. shadow of thy wings--(Psa 17:8; 36:7). calamities--literally, "mischiefs" (Psa 52:2; 55:10).Read the comment

Topics related to Psalms 57:1

• Afflictions and Adversities
• Anthropomorphisms
• Faith
• Music

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Altaschith
• Michtam
• Psalms
• Overpass
• Psalms, Book of
• Song

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