The Book of Psalms
Psalm 57
Psalm LVII · Vol. II, p. 1023
1 David in prayer fleeing unto God, complaineth of his dangerous case. 7 He encourageth himself to praise God.
To the chief musician, Al-Taschith, Michtam1 of David, awhen he fled from Saul in the cave.
1 Be mercifulb unto me, O God; be merciful unto me; for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, inc the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.
3 Heg shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me2 up. Selah. God hshall send forth his mercy and his truth.
4 My soul is among ilions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire,3 even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.4
i Ps.35.17; 58.6; 55.21; 64.3; 52.2,4. 2 Ti.4.17. Pr.28.15; 30.14.
3 Burning with envy, wrath, malice, 'set on fire of hell,' Ja.3.6.—C.
4 The meaning of this verse may be expressed as follows:—'My life is at the mercy of fierce and reckless men—men savage as lions; I am in the midst of those who are inflamed with passion—sons of men whose spears and arrows are as ready to wound me as the teeth of wild beasts, and whose slanderous tongues are sharp as swords.'—P.
6 Theyk 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.
7 Myl heart is fixed,5 O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise.6
l Ps.108.1, &c.
5 Or, prepared, Pr.16.1. Ps.10.17.
6 Surely any one who knows the instability and deceitfulness of his own heart, must perceive, independent of the proof by quotation, that he who can affirm that his 'heart is fixed,' can be no other than the Christ. C.—Confident in thy grace and salvation, my heart is established. I fear not what man can do. Human wiles and threats will be alike in vain to move me from my adherence to truth and justice. I will sing praises to thee.—P.
8 Awaken up, my glory;7 awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
n Ju.5.12. Ps.108.1-5.
9 I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people:8 I will sing unto thee among the nations.
8 Among both Jews and Gentiles, Ps.2.1.
11 Bep thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.
p Ps.8.1,9; ver.5. Re.11.15,17.
Notes
Ver. 2. This psalm being quoted, Ro. 15. 9, forms a key for opening the true meaning of many parallel psalms. The complainant is there found to be Christ, 'offering prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death,' He. 5. 7. C.
Ver. 3 Messiah was reproached with meanness of rank, want of literature, base companionship, madness, leaguing with devils, sedition, blasphemy; and finally with the death of a malefactor—the cross. From all he was saved, by 'the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven,' 1 Pe. 1. 12, and raising him from the dead, Ro. 1. 4. C.
Ver. 10. Unto the clouds—which, though apparently the most variable of all things, yet constantly testify by the rainbow the truth of the divine covenant, Ge. 9. 11-17. C.
Reflections.—While saints continue on earth they will still need prayer from their heart and mercy from their God. For into what devouring beasts, and deceitful devils, hath sin transformed their enemies! Heart, lips, and hands appear all animated by infernal malice and craft. But they have a God of salvation, a new relation in Jesus' blood, to secure their safety from all their enemies. And often, because of blindness, these enemies perish in the snares which they had laid for others. With what fixed thought, wonder, desire, and delight, with what ardour of inward powers, ought we then to praise and glorify God for the mercy that made and fulfils, and the faithfulness which establishes, every gracious promise! And with great fervour ought we to desire our Almighty Lord to glorify himself in heaven above and in all the earth below.