Psalms Chapter 57

“Be merciful unto me, O God, etc.] Or “be gracious to me” f758; which words are repeated by him. “Be merciful”, or “gracious, unto me”; to show the greatness of his distress, the eagerness, vehemency, and importunity he used in prayer; his case requiring a speedy answer, and immediate relief; and that he expected only from the mercy and grace of God; (see Gill on “<195601>Psalm 56:1”); for my soul trusteth in thee; or “in thy word”; as the Targum; and in thee only, both as the God of providence and the God of grace; and a great act of faith this was to trust in the Lord in such circumstances; and it was not a bare…”

“Altaschith--or, "Destroy not." This is perhaps an enigmatical allusion to the critical circumstances connected with the history, for which compare Sa1 22:1; Sa1 26:1-3. In Moses' prayer (Deu 9:26) it is a prominent petition deprecating God's anger against the people. This explanation suits the fifty-eighth and fifty-ninth also. Asaph uses it for the seventy-fifth, in the scope of which there is allusion to some emergency. Michtam--(See on Psa 16:1, title). To an earnest cry for divine aid, the Psalmist adds, as often, the language of praise, in the assured hope of a favorable hearing. (Psa 57:1-11) my soul--or…”

“Be merciful unto me, O God - The same beginning as the former psalm - a cry for mercy; an overwhelming sense of trouble and danger leading him to come at once to the throne of God for help. See the notes at Psalms 56:1. For my soul trusteth in thee - See the notes at Psalms 56:3. He had nowhere else to go; there was no one on whom he could rely but God. Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge - Under the protection or covering of his wings - as young birds seek protection under the wings of the parent bird. See the notes at Psalms 17:8. Compare Psalms 36:7. Until these calamities be overpast -…”

“Send forth - Will discover them, by affording his gracious help in pursuance of his promises. Psalms 57:4”

“Ps 57 The psalmist’s cry for mercy and protection quickly turns into an affirmation of trust and confidence in the Lord (57:1-4). When the wicked fall into their own traps (57:6), the psalmist will praise the Lord (57:7-10). 57:title David . . . fled from Saul and went into the cave: See 1 Sam 22:1 or Ps 24:1-8. 57:1 shadow of your wings: As a bird protects its young, God protects the one who trusts in him (see 17:8).”

“when: Psa 142:1 \*title Sa1 22:1, Sa1 24:3, Sa1 24:8 be: Psa 56:1, Psa 69:13-16, Psa 119:76, Psa 119:77 soul: Psa 9:10, Psa 13:5, Psa 125:1; Isa 50:10 shadow: Psa 17:7, Psa 17:8, Psa 36:7, Psa 61:4, Psa 63:7, Psa 91:1, Psa 91:4, Psa 91:9; Rut 2:12; Luk 13:34 until: Isa 10:25, Isa 26:20; Mat 24:22; Joh 16:20; Jam 5:10, Jam 5:11; Rev 7:14, Rev 21:4 Psalms 57:2”

“By means of the two distinctive tense-forms the poet describes his believing flight to God for refuge as that which has once taken place (חסיה from חסה = חסי out of pause, like the same forms in Psa 73:2; Psa 122:6), and still, because it is a living fact, is ever, and now in particular, renewed (אחסה). The shadow of the wings of God is the protection of His gentle, tender love; and the shadow of the wings is the quickening, cordial solace that is combined with this protection. Into this shadow the poet betakes himself for refuge now as he has done before, until הוּות, i.e., the abysmal danger that threatens him,…”