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Psalms 57:4

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 57:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “My soul is among lions; I lie among them that are set on fire, Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

My soul is among lions; I lie among them that are set on fire, Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword.
Psalms 57:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 57

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me; For my soul taketh refuge in thee: Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I take refuge, Until [these] calamities be overpast.
2I will cry unto God Most High, Unto God that performeth [all things] for me.
3He will send from heaven, and save me, [When] he that would swallow me up reproacheth; Selah God will send forth his lovingkindness and his truth.
4My soul is among lions; I lie among them that are set on fire, Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword.
5Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; [Let] thy glory [be] above all the earth.
6They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down: They have digged a pit before me; They are fallen into the midst thereof themselves. Selah
7My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing, yea, I will sing praises.
← Psalms 57:3Psalms 57:5 →
← Full Chapter 57 Psalms Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The mingled figures of wild beasts (Psa 10:9; Psa 17:12) and weapons of war (Psa 11:2) heighten the picture of danger. whose . . . tongue--or slanders.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“My soul is among lions - That is, among people who resemble lions; men, fierce, savage, ferocious. And I lie even among them that are set on fire - We have a term of similar import in common use now, when we say that one is “inflamed” with passion, referring to one who is infuriated and enraged. So we speak of “burning” with rage or wrath - an expression derived, perhaps, from the inflamed “appearance” of a man in anger. The idea here is not that he “would” lie down calmly among those persons, as Prof. Alexander suggests, but that he actually “did” thus lie down. When he laid himself down at night, when he sought repose in sleep, he was surrounded by such persons, and seemed to be sleeping…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Lions - Fierce and bloody men. I lie - I have my abode. On fire - From hell. Who are mere fire - brands, breathing out wrath and threatenings, and incensing Saul against me. Psalms 57:5”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“among: Psa 10:9, Psa 17:12, Psa 17:13, Psa 22:13-16, Psa 35:17, Psa 58:6; Pro 28:15; Dan 6:22-24 set: Jdg 9:20; Jam 3:6 whose: Psa 58:6; Joh 4:10, Joh 4:11; Pro 30:14 tongue: Psa 52:2, Psa 55:21, Psa 64:3; Pro 12:18, Pro 25:18; Rev 19:15 Psalms 57:5”
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Related study paths

Read Psalms 57 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification