David, in prayer fleeing to God, complains of his dangerous case, 1-6. He encourages himself to praise God, 7-11.
1 [To the Chief Musician. Al-taschith. Michtam of David: when he fled from Saul in the cave.]
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,/
for my soul trusts in you./
Even in the shadow of your wings I will make my refuge/
until these calamities have passed.
2 I will cry to God most high,/
to God who performs all things for me.
3 He shall send from heaven and save me/
from the reproach of him who would swallow me up./
[Selah.]
God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.
4 My soul is among lions./
And I lie even among those who are set on fire,/
even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows/
and their tongue a sharp sword.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens./
Let your glory be above all the earth.
6 They have prepared a net for my steps./
My soul is bowed down./
They have dug a pit before me,/
into the midst of which they have fallen themselves./
[Selah.]
7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed./
I will sing and give praise.
8 Awake, my glory. Awake, psaltery and harp./
I myself will awake early.
9 I will praise you, O Lord, among the people./
I will sing to you among the nations.
10 For your mercy is great to the heavens/
and your truth to the clouds.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens./
Let your glory be above all the earth.
Matthew Henry Commentary - Psalms, Chapter 57[➚]
John Calvin's Chapter Summary:
This psalm consists of two parts. In the first, David gives expression to the anxiety which he felt, imploring Divine assistance against Saul and his other enemies. In the second, he proceeds upon the confident expectation of deliverance, and stirs up his soul to the exercise of praise.