Table of Contents
Historical Background and Context
The title of Psalm 57 places us in a moment of extreme tension and danger in David’s life: “For the director of music. To the tune of ‘Do Not Destroy.’ A miktam of David. When he had fled from Saul into the cave.” This most likely refers to the dramatic events recorded in 1 Samuel chapter 24.
David and his 600 men were hiding from King Saul in the remote, rugged wilderness of En Gedi. Saul, pursuing him with 3,000 elite soldiers, entered the very cave where David and his men were concealed to relieve himself. David was presented with a golden opportunity. His men urged him to kill Saul, seeing it as a sign that God had delivered his enemy into his hand.
In this dark, claustrophobic space, with his mortal enemy just feet away and completely vulnerable, David made a remarkable choice. He refused to harm “the LORD’s anointed.” Instead, he secretly crept forward and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. Even this small act troubled his conscience. When Saul left the cave, David followed him out, holding up the piece of cloth as proof that he had spared Saul’s life and bore him no malice.
Psalm 57 is the prayer of a man trapped in that cave. He is surrounded by enemies, whom he calls “lions” (verse 4). Death is a real and immediate possibility. Yet, in this place of darkness and danger, David composes a song of profound trust and explosive praise, centered on taking refuge in God and exalting His glory above all things.
Theological Themes
This psalm is a masterpiece of faith under pressure, highlighting several key theological truths.
God as a Safe Refuge: The central image of the psalm is taking refuge “in the shadow of your wings” (verse 1). This is an intimate and tender metaphor, suggesting the protective care of a mother bird over her young. For David, the dark, dangerous cave becomes a sanctuary because he sees it as a place where he is hidden under God’s personal, protective care.
Praise as a Weapon Against Fear: The psalm is famous for its powerful refrain: “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth” (verses 5 and 11). This is not just a statement of worship; it is a strategic spiritual act. By lifting his focus from his terrifying circumstances to God’s supreme glory, David finds the strength to overcome his fear. Praise reorients his perspective from the temporary threat to the eternal God.
A Steadfast Heart: David declares twice, “My heart, O God, is steadfast” (verse 7). This is remarkable given his situation. A steadfast heart is one that is fixed, firm, and resolute. It is not swayed by changing circumstances or fluctuating emotions. David’s heart is steady because he has made a firm decision to trust God, no matter what.
Confidence in God’s Purpose and Justice: David cries out to “God Most High, who vindicates me” or, as some translations put it, “who fulfills his purpose for me” (verse 2). He is confident that his life is not random but is part of God’s sovereign plan. He also trusts in God’s justice, believing that the pit his enemies have dug for him will become their own trap (verse 6).
Literary Structure and Genre
Psalm 57 is an individual lament psalm that quickly transforms into a psalm of confident trust and praise. Its structure is beautifully symmetrical, divided into two distinct halves by the refrain in verse 5.
- Part 1: Prayer in Peril (verses 1-4): A cry for mercy and a description of the threat. This section culminates in the first declaration of the refrain (verse 5).
- Part 2: Praise in Confidence (verses 6-10): A declaration of the enemy’s downfall and a resolute commitment to praise God among the nations. This section culminates in the second declaration of the refrain (verse 11).
This structure shows a clear progression from need to confidence, with the exaltation of God’s glory as the central, anchoring theme.
Verse by Verse Commentary on Psalm 57
Verses 1-5: Refuge in the Shadow, Lions All Around
“Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me. He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me—God sends forth his love and his faithfulness. I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords1. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.”
The psalm opens with a double plea for mercy. David’s immediate response to danger is to run to God. He declares his trust, using the tender image of taking refuge “in the shadow of your wings.” He is committed to staying in this place of divine protection “until the disaster has passed.”
He cries out to “God Most High” (El Elyon), a name for God that emphasizes His supreme power and sovereignty over everything. This is the God who “vindicates me” or “fulfills his purpose for me.” David is sure that God has a plan and will see it through. He envisions God dispatching heavenly aid, sending forth His two great messengers: His covenant “love” (hesed) and His “faithfulness” (’emet).
Verse 4 gives a vivid picture of his predicament. “I am in the midst of lions.” This perfectly describes being trapped in a dark cave, surrounded by Saul’s soldiers. He describes these men as ravenous beasts, whose teeth are like “spears and arrows” and whose tongues (their slander and threats) are like “sharp swords.”
After this intense description of his danger, David does something amazing. He completely shifts his focus. Instead of asking to be saved from the lions, he prays for God to be glorified. “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.” This refrain is the turning point. It lifts his perspective from the cave to the cosmos.
Verses 6-11: A Steadfast Heart and a Global Song
“They spread a net for my feet—I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path—but they have fallen into it themselves. My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyr2e! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.”
David describes the actions of his enemies. They set traps and dug a pit, but their plans backfired. In an act of perfect poetic justice, “they have fallen into it themselves.” This refers to how Saul, in trying to trap David, made himself completely vulnerable.
This confidence in God’s justice leads to the great declaration of verse 7: “My heart, O God, is steadfast.” Because his heart is firm, his response is not fear but worship. “I will sing and make music.” He then calls upon his own soul and his instruments to wake up for a session of praise. He is so eager to praise God that he will get up before the sun to do it; he will “awaken the dawn” with his song.
The audience for this song is the entire world. “I will praise you, Lord, among the nations… among the peoples.” David’s personal deliverance in a cave in Judah is not a private affair. It is a testimony to the character of God that the whole world needs to hear. Why? “For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” God’s hesed and ’emet are not small or localized; they are cosmic in scale.
The psalm concludes by repeating the magnificent refrain. The ultimate goal of David’s life, and the ultimate purpose of his deliverance, is that God would be exalted and His glory would cover the earth.
Practical Lessons for Today
Find Your Refuge Before the Disaster Hits: David’s immediate reaction to trouble was to run to his refuge in God. This was a practiced response. We too can cultivate a relationship with God so that when disaster strikes, our first instinct is to run to the “shadow of His wings.”
Praise Is a Perspective-Shifter: When you feel trapped, surrounded by “lions,” the most powerful thing you can do is praise God. Like David, we can choose to pray, “Be exalted, O God.” This act of worship lifts our eyes from the size of our problems to the greatness of our God, and it changes everything.
Cultivate a Steadfast Heart: A steadfast heart is not something we get by accident. It is the result of a conscious decision to trust God, regardless of feelings or circumstances. We can pray for God to make our hearts firm and then practice that firmness by choosing faith over fear.
Your Story Is for God’s Glory: Your personal struggles and deliverances are not just about you. They are part of a much bigger story: the story of God’s glory being made known in the world. When God helps you, it becomes a testimony you can share “among the peoples,” so that others can see His great love and faithfulness.
Cross References
1 Samuel 24:3-4: “He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. The men said, ‘This is the day the LORD spoke of when he said to you, “I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.”‘” Th3is is the direct historical narrative that provides the setting for the psalm, showing the extreme danger and the temptation David faced in the cave.
Psalm 91:4: “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” This verse uses the same beautiful and intimate imagery of finding refuge under God’s wings, reinforcing the theme of God’s tender, protective care for those who trust in Him.
Proverbs 26:27: “Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.” This proverb states the principle of divine justice that David celebrates in Psalm 57:6. It affirms that evil plans often backfire on those who make them.
Psalm 108:1-5: This psalm begins by quoting Psalm 57:7-11 almost word for word. This shows how these powerful words of praise were taken and reused in other contexts of worship, becoming a classic expression of a steadfast heart ready to praise God among the nations.