In the Shadow of Your Wings
Psalm 57 summary: what it means
Psalm 57 begins with a double plea: be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me. The speaker takes refuge in the shadow of God's wings until the disaster has passed, and expects God to send help from heaven. The danger is described vividly. The speaker lies among lions, among people whose teeth are spears and arrows and whose tongues are sharp swords, and who have laid a net and dug a pit.
Twice the psalm breaks into the same refrain: be exalted, God, above the heavens, let your glory be over all the earth. After the enemies fall into their own pit, the speaker's heart is steadfast. The psalm ends in song, with a promise to wake up the dawn and give thanks among the nations.
Psalm 57: In the Shadow of Your Wings
World English Bible, public domain. allpsalms.com/psalm-57
Psalm 57 commentary: explained verse by verse
Be 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.
Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.
The plea for mercy is said twice at the start. The speaker's refuge is the shadow of God's wings until the disaster has passed, so the danger is still present as the psalm begins.
Also read Psalm 56:1, Psalm 17:7-8, Psalm 2:12, Matthew 24:22
I cry out to God Most High,to God who accomplishes my requests for me.
I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.
The speaker cries to God Most High and calls him the God who accomplishes my requests for me. It is a statement of confidence made in the middle of the trouble.
Also read Hebrews 13:21, Psalm 138:8, Philippians 2:12, Isaiah 57:15
He 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.
He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.
Help is expected from heaven. God will rebuke the pursuer and send out his loving kindness and his truth, which are pictured as if sent out to the rescue.
Also read Acts 12:11, Psalm 43:3, Psalm 40:11, Psalm 61:7
My 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.
My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
The enemies are described as lions and as people set on fire. Their teeth are spears and arrows and their tongue a sharp sword, so much of the threat is in what they say.
Also read Proverbs 30:14, Revelation 19:15, John 4:10-11, Psalm 59:7
Be exalted, God, above the heavens!Let your glory be above all the earth!
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.
The first appearance of the refrain. In the middle of danger the speaker asks for God to be exalted above the heavens and for his glory to be over all the earth.
Also read Matthew 6:9-10, Habakkuk 3:3, Psalm 148:13, 1 Chronicles 29:1
They 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.
They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.
The enemies have spread a net and dug a pit, and the speaker's soul is bowed down. The verse ends with the enemies falling into the pit themselves, and the psalm turns from here.
Also read Matthew 26:37-38, Micah 7:2, Psalm 145:14, Proverbs 29:5
My heart is steadfast, God.My heart is steadfast.I will sing, yes, I will sing praises.
My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.
My heart is steadfast is said twice, matching the double plea for mercy in verse 1. The response is to sing, and that is said twice as well.
Also read Psalm 108:1-5, Psalm 112:7, Isaiah 24:15, Psalm 34:4
Wake up, my glory! Wake up, lute and harp!I will wake up the dawn.
Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
The speaker calls on their own glory, the lute and the harp to wake up. I will wake up the dawn pictures singing before the day has begun.
Also read Psalm 108:1-3, Psalm 16:9, Psalm 30:12, Judges 5:12
I will give thanks to you, Lord, among the peoples.I will sing praises to you among the nations.
I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.
The praise is public and wide. Thanks and singing are promised among the peoples and among the nations.
Also read Psalm 145:10-12, Psalm 2:1, Psalm 138:1, Psalm 96:3
For your great loving kindness reaches to the heavens,and your truth to the skies.
For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.
This is the reason for the praise: God's loving kindness reaches to the heavens and his truth to the skies. These are the same two things verse 3 said God would send out.
Also read Genesis 9:9-17, Psalm 103:11, Isaiah 54:7-10, Psalm 89:1-2
Be exalted, God, above the heavens.Let your glory be over all the earth.
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.
The psalm ends with the refrain from verse 5, almost word for word. What was prayed in the middle of danger is said again at the close, after the enemies have fallen into their own pit.
Also read Revelation 15:3-4, Psalm 57:5, Psalm 8:1, Psalm 8:9
A prayer from Psalm 57
Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me, for my soul takes refuge in you. I will shelter in the shadow of your wings until disaster has passed. I cry out to you, God Most High. Send out your loving kindness and your truth. Some days I feel as if I am lying among lions, with sharp words all around me. Still, my heart is steadfast. I will sing. Let me wake the dawn with praise. Your loving kindness reaches to the heavens, and your truth to the skies. Be exalted above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth. Amen.
Psalm 57 Bible study questions
- According to the heading, where was David when this psalm is set, and how does verse 1 picture a place of safety?
- In verse 6, what happens to the people who prepare a net and dig a pit for the speaker?
- Verse 1 speaks of taking refuge until disaster has passed; what helps you wait when a hard season has not yet ended?
- In verse 7 the speaker says his heart is steadfast while he is still in danger; what might a steadfast heart look like when nothing around you has changed?
- Psalm 57:7 and Psalm 108:1 open with the same words; what do you notice when you read the two psalms side by side?
Questions about Psalm 57
Who wrote Psalm 57?
The heading attributes it to David and sets it when he fled from Saul, in the cave. It is addressed to the Chief Musician, to the tune of Do Not Destroy.
What is Psalm 57 about?
It is a prayer for mercy from someone hiding from enemies, who takes refuge in the shadow of God's wings. It turns from danger to praise, and a refrain asks for God to be exalted above the heavens.
What does Psalm 57:7 mean?
My heart is steadfast, said twice, marks the turn from fear to praise. The speaker's heart is settled, and they resolve to sing.
What does Psalm 57:2 mean?
The speaker cries to God Most High, the God who accomplishes my requests for me. It expresses confidence that God will carry through what has been asked.
How does the King James Version word Psalm 57:1?
The KJV reads "Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast."
Why are Psalm 57:5 and 57:11 almost the same?
They are a refrain. The request for God to be exalted above the heavens comes once in the middle of the danger and again at the end of the psalm.
Psalm 57 KJV: the King James Version
Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.1
I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.2
He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.3
My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.4
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.5
They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.6
My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.7
Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.8
I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.9
For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.10
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.11
Psalm 57 in Hebrew
The Hebrew text from the Westminster Leningrad Codex, public domain. Verse numbers follow the Hebrew Bible, which counts a psalm's heading as verse 1, so they can run one ahead of English Bibles.
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1 לַמְנַצֵּ֣חַ אַל־תַּ֭שְׁחֵת לְדָוִ֣ד מִכְתָּ֑ם בְּבָרְח֥וֹ מִפְּנֵי־שָׁ֝א֗וּל בַּמְּעָרָֽה׃
2 חָנֵּ֤נִי אֱלֹהִ֨ים ׀ חָנֵּ֗נִי כִּ֥י בְךָ֮ חָסָ֪יָה נַ֫פְשִׁ֥י וּבְצֵֽל־כְּנָפֶ֥יךָ אֶחְסֶ֑ה עַ֝֗ד יַעֲבֹ֥ר הַוּֽוֹת׃
3 אֶ֭קְרָא לֵֽאלֹהִ֣ים עֶלְי֑וֹן לָ֝אֵ֗ל גֹּמֵ֥ר עָלָֽי׃
4 יִשְׁלַ֤ח מִשָּׁמַ֨יִם ׀ וְֽיוֹשִׁיעֵ֗נִי חֵרֵ֣ף שֹׁאֲפִ֣י סֶ֑לָה יִשְׁלַ֥ח אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים חַסְדּ֥וֹ וַאֲמִתּֽוֹ׃
5 נַפְשִׁ֤י ׀ בְּת֥וֹךְ לְבָאִם֮ אֶשְׁכְּבָ֪ה לֹ֫הֲטִ֥ים בְּֽנֵי־אָדָ֗ם שִׁ֭נֵּיהֶם חֲנִ֣ית וְחִצִּ֑ים וּ֝לְשׁוֹנָ֗ם חֶ֣רֶב חַדָּֽה׃
6 ר֣וּמָה עַל־הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם אֱלֹהִ֑ים עַ֖ל כָּל־הָאָ֣רֶץ כְּבוֹדֶֽךָ׃
7 רֶ֤שֶׁת ׀ הֵכִ֣ינוּ לִפְעָמַי֮ כָּפַ֪ף נַ֫פְשִׁ֥י כָּר֣וּ לְפָנַ֣י שִׁיחָ֑ה נָפְל֖וּ בְתוֹכָ֣הּ סֶֽלָה׃
8 נָ֘כ֤וֹן לִבִּ֣י אֱ֭לֹהִים נָכ֣וֹן לִבִּ֑י אָ֝שִׁ֗ירָה וַאֲזַמֵּֽרָה׃
9 ע֤וּרָה כְבוֹדִ֗י ע֭וּרָֽה הַנֵּ֥בֶל וְכִנּ֗וֹר אָעִ֥ירָה שָּֽׁחַר׃
10 אוֹדְךָ֖ בָעַמִּ֥ים ׀ אֲדֹנָ֑י אֲ֝זַמֶּרְךָ֗ בַּל־אֻמִּֽים׃
11 כִּֽי־גָדֹ֣ל עַד־שָׁמַ֣יִם חַסְדֶּ֑ךָ וְֽעַד־שְׁחָקִ֥ים אֲמִתֶּֽךָ׃
12 ר֣וּמָה עַל־שָׁמַ֣יִם אֱלֹהִ֑ים עַ֖ל כָּל־הָאָ֣רֶץ כְּבוֹדֶֽךָ׃
Psalm 57 in the Catholic Douay-Rheims Bible
The Douay-Rheims Bible, 1899 edition, public domain. It follows the Greek and Latin numbering, so this psalm is Psalm 56 there.
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1 Unto the end, destroy not, for David, for an inscription of a title, when he fled from Saul into the cave. 1 Kings 24
2 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me: for my soul trusteth in thee. And in the shadow of thy wings will I hope, until iniquity pass away.
3 I will cry to God the most High; to God who hath done good to me.
4 He hath sent from heaven and delivered me: he hath made them a reproach that trod upon me. God hath sent his mercy and his truth,
5 And he hath delivered my soul from the midst of the young lions. I slept troubled. The sons of men, whose teeth are weapons and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
6 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens, and thy glory above all the earth.
7 They prepared a snare for my feet; and they bowed down my soul. They dug a pit before my face, and they are fallen into it.
8 My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready: I will Sing, and rehearse a psalm.
9 Arise, O my glory, arise psaltery and harp: I will arise early.
10 I will give praise to thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing a psalm to thee among the nations.
11 For thy mercy is magnified even to the heavens: and thy truth unto the clouds.
12 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth.
Psalm 57 in Latin
The Clementine Vulgate, public domain, where this psalm is Psalm 56.
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1 In finem, ne disperdas. David in tituli inscriptionem, cum fugeret a facie Saul in speluncam.
2 Miserere mei, Deus, miserere mei, quoniam in te confidit anima mea. Et in umbra alarum tuarum sperabo, donec transeat iniquitas.
3 Clamabo ad Deum altissimum, Deum qui benefecit mihi.
4 Misit de cælo, et liberavit me; dedit in opprobrium conculcantes me. Misit Deus misericordiam suam et veritatem suam,
5 et eripuit animam meam de medio catulorum leonum. Dormivi conturbatus. Filii hominum dentes eorum arma et sagittæ, et lingua eorum gladius acutus.
6 Exaltare super cælos, Deus, et in omnem terram gloria tua.
7 Laqueum paraverunt pedibus meis, et incurvaverunt animam meam. Foderunt ante faciem meam foveam, et inciderunt in eam.
8 Paratum cor meum, Deus, paratum cor meum; cantabo, et psalmum dicam.
9 Exsurge, gloria mea; exsurge, psalterium et cithara: exsurgam diluculo.
10 Confitebor tibi in populis, Domine, et psalmum dicam tibi in gentibus:
11 quoniam magnificata est usque ad cælos misericordia tua, et usque ad nubes veritas tua.
12 Exaltare super cælos, Deus, et super omnem terram gloria tua.
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Psalm 57 at a glance
| Verses | 11 |
| Heading in the text | For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A poem by David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave. |
| Attributed to | The heading attributes it to David and places it when he fled from Saul, in the cave. It also names a tune, Do Not Destroy. |
| Type | Lament and Praise |
| Number in Greek and Latin Bibles | Psalm 56 |
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Psalm 57 in other translations
This page prints the World English Bible and the King James Version because both are public domain. The NIV, ESV, NKJV, NLT and NASB are under copyright, so they cannot be printed in full here. You can read Psalm 57 in those translations at Bible Gateway.
Where Psalm 57 belongs
Psalms of DavidBook 2 of the Psalms
How this page was made
The psalm text comes from public domain translations and is not edited. The summary, the verse notes and the answers are written for this page from the text of the psalm itself. Where a claim goes beyond the text, it is sourced below.
Sources
- Text: World English Bible and King James Version, both public domain, from ebible.org source
- Hebrew text: Westminster Leningrad Codex, public domain, from ebible.org source
- Douay-Rheims: Douay-Rheims Bible, 1899 edition, public domain, from ebible.org source
- Latin text: Clementine Vulgate, public domain, from ebible.org source
- Numbering: Greek and Latin psalm numbering, Wikipedia, Psalms source