Psalm 57

Psa 57:1

SUPERSCRIPTION: "OF DAVID. A MIKTAM. WHEN HE HAD FLED FROM SAUL INTO THE CAVE". "Michtam" sig "to cut, engrave (Jer 2:22), or write (Exo 17:14)", and hence to remember. The 6 "michtam" psalms are thus "memorial" psalms, of a very personal nature, having the hope of resurrection as a common theme (Psa 16:10,11; 56:13; 57:3; 58:10,11; 59:16; 60:5,12). A specific allusion to 1Sa 24. These words imply that David's distressing crisis was the pursuit organized by Saul, and that it was as a desperate last resort that the hunted hero took refuge in the cave of En-gedi (cp Heb 11:38). The ensuing opportunity to slay Saul when the king came unsuspecting into the cave must have presented a powerful temptation and an intense psychological crisis. This consideration makes David's honorable behavior in sparing Saul's life more than ever a thing to be marveled at. Yet, crisis over, "David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt" (1Sa 24:5).

I WILL TAKE REFUGE IN THE SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS: The cherubim (Psa 17:8; 36:7; 61:4; 63:7; 91:1; cp also Deu 32:10,11 and Rth 2:12). Though he was hiding in a dark and outwardly forbidding cave, David's faith kept him as close to his God as if he were in the Holy of Holies of the sanctuary. (NT) By a slight reversal of this familiar figure, Jesus becomes the mother hen under the shadow of whose wings Israel may find refuge: Mat 23:37.

UNTIL THE DISASTER HAS PASSED: (NT) Passover language (Isa 26:20,21; Exo 12:22). The garden tomb, sprinkled with the blood of the true Passover lamb, and overshadowed by angels, was the counterpart of the dwellings of the Israelites in Egypt. The one who was inside (though already dead!) was nevertheless safe under the sheltering arms of the Almighty.

DISASTER: "Calamities" (AV) is, lit, "wickednesses". So 1Sa 24:13: "Wickedness (not sw) proceedeth from the wicked."

Psa 57:3

THOSE WHO HOTLY PURSUE ME: In Psa 56:1 the danger was from the Philistine warriors of Achish, king of Gath. Here, the danger is from Saul and his men.

SELAH: Might suggest the rock of the cave where he had taken refuge, or the sacrifices gladly offered at God's altar-rock in thankfulness in later days. See Lesson, Selah.

GOD SENDS HIS LOVE AND HIS FAITHFULNESS: As in v 10 also. The phrase regularly means God's promises (eg Psa 89:14,24; Mic 7:20; Gen 24:27; 2Sa 7:15). Here it alludes either to 1Sa 16:13 or (if inserted in later days) to 2Sa 7.

Psa 57:4

I AM IN THE MIDST OF LIONS: A figure of speech suitable to the wild wilderness where David now was.

(NT) The "lions" of the tribe of Judah: Psa 22:12,13; Pro 28:15.

I LIE AMONG RAVENOUS BEASTS: AV has "I lie even among them that are set on fire." Had Saul's men been setting fire to the scrub bushes in an attempt to smoke out David and his men?

ARROWS: Psa 120:4; Jer 9:8.

WHOSE TONGUES ARE SHARP SWORDS: Jam 3:6. Consider 1Sa 24:9, where David asks Saul: "Wherefore hearest thou men's (evil) words?" Also see Psa 55:21.

Psa 57:5

From this point the tone of the Psa is different. David has come through, and now thankfully praises God.

LET YOUR GLORY BE OVER ALL THE EARTH: (NT) At crucifixion, while the whole land shuddered under an unnatural darkness, for Jesus there was the sustaining brightness of the Shekinah Glory (WGos 780-783).

Psa 57:6

THEY SPREAD A NET FOR MY FEET: (NT) As in Psa 56:6, the numerous attempts to entrap and/or arrest Jesus (cp also Job 18:8; Psa 9:15; 31:4; 140:5; Pro 1:17).

THEY DUG A PIT IN MY PATH -- BUT THEY HAVE FALLEN INTO IT THEMSELVES: The destruction of city, temple, and nation followed on inevitably from the crucifixion of Jesus. See Psa 7:15n.

See Lesson, Selah.

Psa 57:8

AWAKE, MY SOUL!: AV has "Awake up, my glory." That is, my tongue (Psa 16:9). David's (and any other man's) chief glory is to glorify God. "A well-employed tongue for praising God, and edifying others, is indeed a man's commendation and glory above other creatures" (Dickson).

AWAKE, HARP AND LYRE!: Not at all suitable to the environment described in vv 1-4. But David is now, after his trials, settled in his capital.

I WILL AWAKEN THE DAWN: "I myself will awake early" (AV). 'The dawn awakes other kings,' says David, 'but I awake the dawn!' Unwearied earnestness in the service of God: Psa 63:1; 78:34.

(NT) The resurrection morn: Mat 28:1; Mar 16:2; Luk 24:1; Joh 20:1.

Psa 57:11

SUBSCRIPTION: "FOR THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC. TO THE TUNE OF 'DO NOT DESTROY' ": "Al taschith" (AV). The SUBSCRIPTIONion of Psa 56, 57, 58, 74. In each case the psalmist is in a tight corner and is praying for his life. This exact phrase comes in 1Sa 26:9, and tempts the expositor to read the psalm against that background. (Cp also Deu 9:26: "Destroy not thy people"; and Isa 65:8: "Destroy it -- ie the cluster of grapes, or the remnant of Israel -- not.") But, beyond question, the entire tone of it fits 1Sa 21:10-15 much better.