Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

What does Psalms Chapter 57 mean?

This song was written during David’s attempts to evade Saul, the jealous and murderous king (1 Samuel 19:1–2; 22:1; 24:2–3). This included fleeing from pursuing attackers and hiding in caves. The same series of events factored into the writing of Psalms 56 and 142. The psalm is presumably set to a then-known tune called “Do Not Destroy.” This same melody is referenced in Psalms 58, 59, and 75.

David begins by calling on God for mercy: to be rescued from his current situation. He depicts the Lord as a mother bird guarding her young from storms and rain with her wings. Because of God’s promises to David (1 Samuel 16:12–13), David was confident the Lord would keep him safe. Though his enemies attack him like wild animals, using both weapons and words, David is assured of God’s protection. He declares that the Lord’s praise should be heard over the entire world (Psalm 57:1–5).

Because of this deep faith, David is assured that his enemies will only harm themselves. He promises to praise God early in the morning, using all his spiritual and musical strengths. David then refers to praising God among both “the peoples” and “the nations.” This suggests an audience beyond Israel and extending into the Gentile world. David refers to the Lord’s “steadfast love,” or “lovingkindness;” this depicts God’s merciful loyalty to His chosen people. The psalm ends by repeating the refrain of verse 5, calling for God to be praised worldwide (Psalm 57:6–11).

Chapter Context
Along with Psalms 56 and 142, this was composed in response to David’s escape from Saul (1 Samuel 19:1–2; 22:1). This included hiding in cave, where David turned down an opportunity to kill his enemy (1 Samuel 24:1–22). David is entirely sure that God will fulfill His promises (1 Samuel 16:12–13).

Verse by Verse

Verse 1. 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.

David wrote this psalm about the time he hid in a cave while being pursued by king Saul (1 Samuel 19:1–2; 22:1; 24:2–3). This was around the same time as the events which inspired Psalms 56 and 142. In a moment of great danger, David prayed for God’s mercy and protection. The reference to the “shadow of [God’s] wings” (Psalm 17:8; 91:4) refers to a mother bird protecting her young. This would be especially appropriate during a storm, where her wings would provide shelter against wind and rain.

David’s response to fear is to pursue God, growing closer and trusting Him even more. Later verses refer to God’s purposes (Psalm 57:2); this reflects David’s trust in God’s unchangeable plans for his life (1 Samuel 16:12–13). Translating the Hebrew word hawwāh as “storms of destruction” here is appropriate since David refers to his current situation as temporary. Those who rely on the Lord are assured that their troubles are short-lived (Romans 8:28; 2 Corinthians 4:17) and that nothing can separate them from God’s love (Romans 8:38–39; John 10:28).

This song refers to the position of “choirmaster,” or “chief musician,” likely meaning the person in charge of leading corporate worship. It is described as a “miktam,” probably indicating a particular form of song. David’s Psalms 57, 58, and 59 suggest a tune titled “Do Not Destroy.” The same is true of Asaph’s Psalm 75. It seems these psalms were written as words to be sung to that melody.

Context Summary
In these opening verses of Psalm 57 David asks God to be merciful to him, and he declares that God is his refuge. When David composed this psalm, he was hiding in a cave from vengeful King Saul, but he was trusting in God for safety until the storm of Saul’s wrath ended. He knew God had a purpose for his life and would deliver him from Saul. Although his enemies sought to kill him, he longed for God to exalt Himself.

Verse 2. I cry out to God Most High,to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

This verse uses the phrase Elōhim ‘Elyon, translated as “God Most High.” Nearly the exact same title was used four times in the description of Abraham’s encounter with Melchizedek (Genesis 14:17–23). As David prays for safety (Psalm 57:1, 4), he acknowledges the Lord’s absolute power and authority. The following verses demonstrate David’s supreme confidence that God will answer his prayer and keep him safe (Psalm 57:3).

When David speaks of what God can accomplish, he uses the root word gamar. Most variations of the term imply completion, finality, or an end. David is crediting God as the One who “makes things happen.” This doesn’t mean God always does everything exactly as David demands (2 Samuel 12:16–23). However, it expresses the idea that David’s life is the result of God’s will and God’s work (Psalm 138:8).

Like Abram, David knew God is the sovereign owner of everything, including David’s life. He believed God Most High would fulfill all His plans and promises (1 Samuel 16:12–13). Christians should be confident that God Most High will fulfill His will for them. Philippians 2:13 says, “It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Verse 3. He will send from heaven and save me;he will put to shame him who tramples on me. SelahGod will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!

David was confident God would reach down from heaven and rescue him from Saul (1 Samuel 19:1–2; 22:1; 24:2–3). Further, he was assured God would work against David’s enemies. This anticipation of God’s work demonstrates David’s deep faith. Even faced with great fear (Psalm 55:4–6), David chose God as the anchor for his hope (Psalm 57:1–2). He relies on the “steadfast love” of God. This comes from the important Hebrew word checed, which represents the Lord’s reliable, dependable care for His people.

David anticipates God’s loyal love and faithfulness reaching him. Though hated by Saul, an earthly king, David was greatly loved by God Most High, the heavenly King. Early in life, God indicated His special purposes for David (1 Samuel 16:11–13). This gave David tremendous confidence, knowing the Lord had greater plans for him. Later, God would offer more explicit prophecies about David’s throne and his descendants (2 Samuel 7:12–16).

In every situation the believer can count on the fact that God loves him and keeps His promises. God’s loyal love caused the apostle John to exclaim, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” (1 John 3:1). It was God’s faithfulness that caused Paul to rejoice “in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began” (Titus 1:2).

This verse also uses the term selah, which seems to indicate a pause or moment of reflection.

Verse 4. 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.

It may be difficult to praise the Lord during hard times (1 Thessalonians 5:18), but such a thing is possible. David exemplified this grateful attitude; though his words describe stressful danger (Psalm 57:1–3), he still praises God (Psalm 57:5) and avoids despair. In symbolic terms, he depicts his enemies as wild animals with mouths full of weapons. David identifies his enemies as “the children of man,” to distinguish them from the Lord. In other psalms, David noted that threats from other men were nothing compared to the power of the One True God (Psalm 27:1; 56:4, 10–11).

Daniel, an Old Testament prophet, also faced intense persecution. He also had reason to fear wild animals—literally, as he was thrown into a den of hungry lions (Daniel 6:16–23). The Lord kept Daniel alive, and he testified, “My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me” (Daniel 6:22). The Christian experiences attacks from the world and the Devil (John 16:33; 1 Peter 5:8). Yet believers can rely on God’s loyal love and kindness (1 Peter 5:7), knowing the Lord provides strength to resist the Devil, the roaring lion (1 Peter 5:9; Ephesians 6:10–18).

Verse 5. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!Let your glory be over all the earth!

When this psalm was written, David was on the run from the murderous King Saul (1 Samuel 19:1–2; 22:1; 24:2–3). Despite that danger (Psalm 57:1–2, 4), David was confident in the Lord’s promises (Psalm 57:3). Though he was not yet king, David knew this was his destiny (1 Samuel 16:11–13). Here, he uses a refrain found also in the psalm’s last verse (Psalm 57:11). Danger might inspire fear (Psalm 55:4–6), but believers have no reason to despair. Instead, they can respond to fearful moments in grateful faith (1 Thessalonians 5:8).

Praise and honor for God are cornerstone purposes for which mankind was created. Earthly rulers should seek to advance God’s glory, just as David did. David also prayed that God would fill the earth with His glory. Since Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden, human beings carry a marred image of God and the world languishes under a curse. The apostle Paul writes: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). He describes all nature as experiencing “bondage to corruption” (Romans 8:21). He observes that it “has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth” (Romans 8:22). This disastrous situation will change when Jesus returns to earth. When He rules the earth, God’s glory will be revealed and the entire human race will see it (Isaiah 40:5).

Verse 6. They set a net for my steps;my soul was bowed down.They dug a pit in my way,but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah

The evil King Saul tried to kill David (1 Samuel 19:1–2; 22:1; 24:2–3). Those efforts ultimately failed, and David became the first of God’s endorsed line of kings (2 Samuel 7:12–16). When this psalm was written, David had not yet seen victory over his enemies. Yet he writes as if that success had already happened. Their attacks had left him anxious and fearful (Psalm 55:4–6; 57:1–4). This causes David’s soul to “bend:” a figure of speech much like the English expression “wringing one’s hands,” which also means someone is intensely worried.

David suggests that the evil intents of others have turned into their own downfall (Proverbs 29:6; Psalm 9:16). Nets and pits were common traps used to capture animals. In warfare, they could also be useful ways to catch an enemy off guard. An evil person may pursue their goals so blindly and wickedly that they fail to recognize other dangers. In their attempt to harm others, they harm themselves. In the early days of the Church, evil King Herod raged against the believers. He executed the apostle James and imprisoned the apostle Peter with the intention of executing him too. But the Lord freed Peter and ended Herod’s life abruptly and dramatically (Acts 12:21–23).

In other cases, the evil person may fall victim to the exact same trap they’ve set for someone else. The book of Esther talks about wicked Haman’s efforts to dispose of righteous Mordecai. His final effort was the building of gallows on which to hang Mordecai, but the plan backfired. Haman was hung on his own gallows (Esther 7:7–10).

This verse uses the term selah, which is not clearly defined. However, it seems to indicate a pause. This is appropriate, in that the following verses are enthusiastic, and dramatic, in their praise of the Lord.

Verse 7. My heart is steadfast, O God,my heart is steadfast!I will sing and make melody!

Despite danger (Psalm 57:1–4), David is committed to praising God (Psalm 57:5). In the prior verse, David noted how his opponents set traps for him, hoping to catch him in a moment of vulnerability (Psalm 57:6). Yet he is so confident in God’s rescue that he sings to proclaim his deep trust in the Lord.

The description David claims here is from the Hebrew word nākon’, which implies stability, preparation, and firmness. David’s faith is well-prepared and entirely committed to the Lord God. He has no intention of abandoning his faith, even in the face of danger. Thriving trust in the Lord leads to thankfulness and praise. While those who reject God bring themselves punishment and shame (Isaiah 65:11–13), a Christian believer’s sense of joy can be intensely reassuring (Isaiah 64:14; John 15:11).

Verse 8. Awake, my glory!Awake, O harp and lyre!I will awake the dawn!

When David wrote Psalm 57, his circumstances were drab and dangerous. He was hiding in a cave from King Saul and his forces (1 Samuel 19:1–2; 22:1; 24:2–3). It must have been difficult to sleep, knowing his enemy was pressing down upon him (Psalm 57:1–5). He felt the pressure of anxiety and stress on his soul, as if he were bending under a heavy weight (Psalm 57:6). And yet, David resolves with his entire heart to faithfully praise and sing to God (Psalm 57:7).

Calling on someone or something to “awake” does not necessarily mean rousing it from sleep. The Hebrew root word literally refers to opening the eyes. But it can also mean to stir or act (Judges 5:12). David’s comment about dawn likely means he intends to rise early, using all his musical and spiritual energies (Psalm 16:9). Although David was a king, poet, and warrior, he was also a musician. Before Saul sought to kill him, he had played the lyre in Saul’s court (1 Samuel 16:23). Although the New Testament does not specify musical instruments to be associated with public worship, it does exhort Christians to sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in their hearts to God (Colossians 3:16). Like David, Christians can greet every morning with joyful praise.

Verse 9. I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;I will sing praises to you among the nations.

David vows to praise the Lord in the presence of others. This is in response to David’s deep faith, trusting that God will rescue him from his current danger (Psalm 57:1–4). He resolves to proclaim God among “peoples” and “nations.” This combination of terms suggests David is thinking of the world beyond Israel. The word translated “nations,” especially, is often used as a reference to non-Jewish cultures: the Gentiles.

The complete fulfillment of this praise awaits the reign of Christ over all the earth. Quoting from the Old Testament (Psalm 18:49; 2 Samuel 22:50), Romans 15:9 echoes David’s vow and observes how Jews and Gentiles were partly united by faith after the resurrection of Christ. The same passage also looks forward to the perfect uniting of saved Jews and Gentiles in the millennial kingdom in songs of praise to Jesus, the Lamb of God. Verse 10 quotes from Isaiah and says, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people” (cf. Isaiah 66:10). Verse 11 quotes, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him” (cf. Psalm 117:1). Referring to Isaiah, Romans 15:12 anticipates Jesus’ rule over the Gentiles saying, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope” (cf. Isaiah 11:10). At that time, a great multitude of redeemed people will praise the Lord God Almighty (Revelation 19:6–8).

Verse 10. For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,your faithfulness to the clouds.

In this psalm, David has asked for God’s rescue, and confidently expected it will occur (Psalm 57:1–4). This inspired a series of comments about David’s deep faith in the Lord (Psalm 57:7–9). Here, he adds two more motives for praising God. The phrasing here is much like that of Psalm 36:5, also written by David.

The first character trait for which David praises God in this verse is “steadfast love.” The Hebrew term is checed, referring to God’s enduring, patient love and care for His people. Some translations represent this as “mercy,” or “lovingkindness,” or “faithful love.” The second character trait involves the root word ’emet, which most literally means “truth” but can also imply constancy or devotion. These attributes are said to exist “to” the clouds and heavens. Just as the modern English expression “sky high” implies something abnormally large, David indicates that God’s merciful consistency towards His people is beyond measure.

Scripture makes great effort to explain the intensity of God’s kind love for humanity. The Lord’s love embraces the whole world and is why He provided His Son as the Savior (John 3:16). His love is undeserved. “God shows his love for us in that we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Nothing can separate believers from His love (Romans 8:38–39). His love is everlasting (Jeremiah 31:3). His love embodies all the noble qualities listed in 1 Corinthians 13. His love has given believers the privilege of being called His children (1 John 3:1). God’s faithfulness is great (Lamentations 3:23). His faithfulness provides for every need (Matthew 6:33). His faithfulness provides a way of escape from temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). His faithfulness provides forgiveness when believers confess their sins (1 John 1:9). His faithfulness endures to all generations (Psalm 119:90).

Verse 11. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!Let your glory be over all the earth!

This repeats the refrain David wrote in verse 5. He calls for the Lord’s praise to spread all over the world. This is a fitting conclusion to a song written by a man the midst of danger (Psalm 57:1–4, 6; 1 Samuel 19:1–2; 22:1; 24:2–3) yet steeped in deep faith (Psalm 57:7–10). The risks around him did not dull David’s confidence in the Lord’s promises (Psalm 57:3). His reaction to hardship shows how believers can endure tragic circumstances with grateful hearts (1 Thessalonians 5:8).

God’s glory is a frequent theme in the Bible. When an angel announced the birth of Jesus to a group of shepherds, the glory of the Lord shone around them (Luke 2:9). When Jesus stood at the top of a high mountain with three of His disciples, “he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light” (Matthew 17:2). Later, the apostle John wrote, “we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Someday a remnant of Israel and saved Gentiles will see God’s glory (Isaiah 60:2–3). It will happen when Jesus reigns on earth. Paul testified that Christians would appear with Jesus in glory (Colossians 3:4). When the New Jerusalem descends from heaven, it will have the glory of God, and its radiance will resemble a rare jewel (Revelation 21:10–11). God’s glory will make the New Jerusalem and earth bright and beautiful forever.

End of Psalm 57

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