Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryPsalms 57

Be merciful. See Ps. 56:1, 3, 4. Verses 1–5 constitute the first section of the psalm. Shadow of thy wings. See on Ps. 17:8; cf. Ruth 2:12; Matt. 23:37. The tender affection for God here expressed is entirely unlike the attitude of the heathen toward their pagan gods.

God most high. Heb. ’Elohim ’Elyon (see Vol. I, pp. 170–173). This title for God occurs also in Ps. 78:56. God. Heb. ’El (see Vol. I, p. l71). Performeth. Heb. gamar, “to bring to completion” (see Ps. 138:8).

Selah. See on Ps. 55:19; see p. 629. His mercy. See Ps. 25:10; 26:3. God “would sooner send every angel out of glory to the relief of faithful souls, to make a hedge about them, than have them deceived and led away by the lying wonders of Satan” (EW 88).

Soul. Or simply, “I” (see on Ps. 16:10). Lions. The psalmist’s enemies are like savage lions (see Ps. 7:2; 10:9). Are set on fire. They are aflame with the desire to destroy David. A sharp sword. A figure of slander (see Ps. 55:21).

Be thou exalted. Verse 5 is the refrain of the poem, repeated in v. 11.

Prepared a net. Compare Ps. 9:15. Verses 6–11 constitute the second section of the psalm. My soul. See on v. 4. Triumphant Confidence in Time of Peril

Nichol, F. D. (1978). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary : The Holy Bible with exegetical and expository comment. Commentary Reference Series (Ps 53:1). Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association.

When, because of a finite approach to problems, mistakes are made that endanger the welfare of close associates, God still has a way out. Such mistakes can, in the providence of God, be turned into steppingstones for further development of character. God is pleased to exceed His promises. The more urgently a soul cries for help, the stronger becomes the resolve to forsake all and follow God, and the clearer becomes the path marked out by God. His mysterious guidance is beyond human comprehension. Psalm 57:1-3, 9, 10

Historical background to 1 Samuel 22:1 They have digged a pit. See on Ps. 7:15. Selah. See p. 629.

Fixed. Heb. nakon, “firmly established.” Verses 7–11 appear, with variations, as Ps. 108:1–5 (see comments there).

Psaltery. Heb. nebel, the “harp” (see pp. 33, 34). Harp. Heb. kinnor, the “lyre” (see pp. 34–36). I myself will awake early. Or, “I will wake up the dawn.” The psalmist recognized the value of devoting the first moments of the day to worship (see on Ps. 5:3). Compare Milton’s line: “Cheerly rouse the slumbering morn.”

Nichol, F. D. (1978). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary : The Holy Bible with exegetical and expository comment. Commentary Reference Series (Ge 1:1). Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association.

The people. Rather, “the peoples.” The Hebrew noun is plural. David’s great deliverance prompts him to make known God’s goodness among the nations. Thus David expresses his realization that Israel was called to be the light of nations.

Thy mercy. See on Ps. 25:10; 26:3; 36:5, 7.

Be thou exalted. The refrain, identical with v. 5. “Heaven and earth have … a mutually interwoven history, and the blessed, glorious end of this is in the sunrise of the Divine glory over both” (Delitzsch). Let thy glory. The visible brightness of divine glory is but a reminder of the infinite perfection and beauty of the divine character. That which may be seen is ever to impress upon created beings the infinite goodness of God.