Chapter Overview
Summary
Psalm 57 (MT) / Psalm 56 (LXX) is a Davidic miktam composed, per the superscription, 'when he fled from Saul, in the cave' (1 Sam 22 or 24). The psalm features the twice-repeated refrain 'be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth' (vv. 5, 11). The second half (vv. 7–11) reappears almost verbatim as the first half of Psalm 108. The 'my heart is steadfast, O God' (v. 7) — with the doubled Hebrew nakhon (steadfast / fixed / set) — is the psalm's confidence-anchor.
Notable Variants
57:5, 11 'be exalted O God above the heavens' refrain framing the psalm; 57:7–11 // Ps 108:1–5 paralleled-block; the 'in the cave' superscription tying the psalm to David's fugitive-period.
Structural Notes
MT Ps 57 = LXX Ps 56. 12 verses (MT/LXX), 11 verses (English).
For the director of music. "Do Not Destroy." A miktam of David, when he fled from Saul into the cave.
Superscription 'to the choirmaster; according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave' tracks MT. 'Do Not Destroy' (al-tashcheth) is a tune-name appearing at Pss 57, 58, 59, 75. The 'cave' refers to 1 Sam 22 (cave of Adullam) or 24 (cave of En-gedi).
Be gracious to me, God — be gracious to me, for in you my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of your wings I will take shelter until the storms of destruction pass.
'Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge' tracks MT. 'In the shadow of your wings I will take refuge' — the WING-SHELTER (skia tōn pterygōn) image recurring at Ps 17:8, 36:7, 63:7, 91:4. Matthew 23:37 ('how often I would have gathered … as a hen gathers her brood under her wings') extends Christologically.
I call out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
'I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me' tracks MT. The 'fulfills his purpose' (gōmēr alai / ton euergetēsanta me) — God as purpose-completer. Philippians 1:6 ('he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion') parallels.
He will send from heaven and save me; he rebukes the one who tramples me. Selah. God will send his faithful love and his truth.
'He will send from heaven and save me' tracks MT.
My soul lies down among lions, among people who are ablaze — whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongue is a sharpened sword.
'My soul is in the midst of lions' tracks MT. Lion-imagery for enemies — recurring LXX-Psalms theme (7:2, 10:9, 17:12, 22:13). 1 Peter 5:8 ('your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion') extends.
Be exalted above the heavens, God! Let your glory be over all the earth!
'Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!' tracks MT — FIRST REFRAIN (repeats at v. 12). The exalt-above-heavens doxology anticipates Philippians 2:9 ('God highly EXALTED him') and Ephesians 1:20–21 ('seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, FAR ABOVE all rule').
They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed low. They dug a pit before me — they fell into it themselves! Selah.
'They set a net for my steps' tracks MT.
My heart is steady, God; my heart is steady. I will sing — I will make music!
'My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast!' tracks MT. // Ps 108:1. The DOUBLED 'steadfast' (nakhon nakhon / hetoimē … hetoimē) — emphatic-repetition signaling full-confidence. 'I will sing and make melody' opens the second-half doxology.
Wake up, my glory! Wake up, harp and lyre! I will wake the dawn.
'Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!' tracks MT. // Ps 108:2. The 'awake the dawn' image — praise-arousing-the-morning — is one of the Hebrew Bible's most poetic-inversions. Classical Christian morning-prayer tradition draws on this.
I will give thanks to you among the peoples, Lord; I will make music to you among the nations.
'I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples' tracks MT. // Ps 108:3. The 'among the peoples / nations' (en ethnesin) language Paul cites at Romans 15:9 (though from Ps 18:49 primarily). The Davidic-Gentile-praise tradition.
For your faithful love is great — reaching to the heavens, and your truth to the skies.
'For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds' tracks MT. // Ps 108:4. Chesed-and-emet to the heavens — cosmic-scale divine-attributes.
Be exalted above the heavens, God! Let your glory be over all the earth!
'Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!' tracks MT — SECOND REFRAIN (// v. 6). // Ps 108:5.