Psalms 57
Read Psalms 57 (WEB)+
1Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me, for my soul takes refuge in you. Yes, in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, until disaster has passed. 2I cry out to God Most High, to God who accomplishes my requests for me. 3He will send from heaven, and save me, he rebukes the one who is pursuing me. Selah. God will send out his loving kindness and his truth. 4My soul is among lions. I lie among those who are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. 5Be exalted, God, above the heavens! Let your glory be above all the earth! 6They have prepared a net for my steps. My soul is bowed down. They dig a pit before me. They fall into the middle of it themselves. Selah. 7My heart is steadfast, God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises. 8Wake up, my glory! Wake up, lute and harp! I will wake up the dawn. 9I will give thanks to you, Lord, among the peoples. I will sing praises to you among the nations. 10For your great loving kindness reaches to the heavens, and your truth to the skies. 11Be exalted, God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth.
World English Bible (public domain)
“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth.”
Psalms 57:5
Summary
Psalms 57 is a poignant appeal for deliverance and a declaration of trust in God during times of danger and distress. David, the psalmist, begins by seeking refuge in God's mercy as he hides from his enemies in a cave. He vividly describes the peril surrounding him, depicting enemies as fierce lions ready to pounce. Despite the threat, David's faith is unwavering; he expresses confidence that God will send help from heaven and disgrace those who pursue him. The central theme is David's trust that God's steadfast love and faithfulness will triumph over his adversaries. The psalm transitions from pleading to praising as David exalts God, anticipating His intervention. This shift underscores the power of praise and the expectation of God's deliverance leading to a deeper expression of trust and an eventual triumph over adversity. The chapter concludes with a call to glorify God among the nations, highlighting the psalmist's commitment to making God's greatness known worldwide.
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Chapter outline
How Psalms 57 unfolds
Psalm 57:1–3 Seeking Refuge in God
The psalmist appeals to God for mercy as he seeks refuge from his enemies, expressing confidence in God's ability to deliver him.
Psalm 57:4–6 Describing Peril and Trust
David depicts the danger surrounding him, portraying his enemies as fierce lions while proclaiming God's protection and faithfulness.
Psalm 57:7–8 Steadfast Heart and Praise
Amidst distress, David asserts his steadfastness and prepares to sing praises, demonstrating his unwavering faith in God's deliverance.
Psalm 57:9–10 Thanksgiving Among Nations
David commits to give thanks and sing praises to God among the peoples, celebrating His steadfast love and truth.
Psalm 57:11 Exaltation of God
The psalm concludes with a powerful declaration of God's glory, reinforcing the themes of trust and praise throughout the chapter.
Key verses
Psalms 57:5The key verse encapsulates the psalm's emphasis on God's sovereignty and glory, reinforcing the themes of trust and praise.
Main themes in Psalms 57
trust in God
Trust in God is a central theme in Psalm 57, particularly in verses 1 and 3 where David seeks refuge and calls upon God. The chapter develops this theme through David's unwavering faith, even amidst dire circumstances. This trust ultimately leads to a triumphant expression of praise, highlighting the importance of reliance on God during times of trouble.
divine deliverance
The theme of divine deliverance is evident as David describes his perilous situation in verses 4 and 6, yet he is confident in God's intervention. The psalm complicates this theme by acknowledging the real threats he faces while simultaneously proclaiming God's power to save. Within the larger movement of the psalm, this belief in deliverance becomes a foundation for his praise and gratitude.
steadfast love
God's steadfast love is highlighted in verses 10 and 3, where David acknowledges God's kindness and faithfulness amidst his troubles. This theme is developed as David finds assurance in God's loving nature, even while surrounded by danger. The larger movement of the psalm underscores that it is this steadfast love that enables David to shift from despair to praise.
praise and worship
Praise and worship are expressed throughout Psalm 57, particularly in verses 5, 7, and 9 as David commits to glorifying God. The chapter complicates this theme by showing that praise arises from a place of struggle and desperation. Ultimately, the movement from lament to worship emphasizes the transformative power of acknowledging God's greatness.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Psalms 57
- Psalm 91Psalm 91 echoes the theme of seeking refuge in God and His protection from danger.
- Habakkuk 2Habakkuk 2 connects with the call for God's glory to be exalted above the earth, affirming divine sovereignty.
- Psalm 108Psalm 108 develops the theme of praise to God among the nations, similar to the commitment in Psalm 57.
- Psalm 138Psalm 138 connects through its themes of thankfulness and the exaltation of God's faithfulness before others.
- Isaiah 6Isaiah 6 echoes the call to exalt God, highlighting His holiness and glory in the heavenly realm.
- Psalm 72Psalm 72 develops the theme of God's reign and glory being recognized among all nations, parallel to Psalm 57's declaration.
Study questions
Questions for studying Psalms 57
- Who is the speaker in Psalm 57 and what situation is he facing?
- What imagery does David use to describe his enemies in verse 4?
- How does David express his unwavering trust in God throughout the psalm?
- What shift occurs in tone from pleading to praising in Psalm 57?
- What is the significance of praising God among the nations as mentioned in verse 9?
- How does the concept of divine deliverance manifest in this psalm?
- What does the repetition of God's exaltation in verses 5 and 11 indicate about its importance?
Psalms 57: frequently asked questions
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