Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 57

Be merciful unto me, O God — This is the same beginning as the former psalm—a cry for mercy. An overwhelming sense of trouble and danger led 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 — Compare (Job 14:13), note; (Psalms 27:13), note; also at (Isaiah 26:20), note. He believed that these calamities would pass away, or would cease; that a time would come when he would not be driven from place to place in this way. At present he knew that he was in danger, and he desired the divine protection, for under that protection he would be safe.

I will cry unto God most high - The idea is - God is exalted above all creatures; all events are “under” him, and he can control them. The appeal was not to man, however exalted; not to an angel, however far he may be above man; it was an appeal made directly to the Supreme Being, the God to whom all worlds and all creatures are subject, and under whose protection, therefore, he must be safe.

Unto God that performeth all things for me - The word used here, and rendered “performeth” - גמר gâmar - properly means to bring to an end; to complete; to perfect. The idea here is that it is the character of God that he “completes” or “perfects,” or brings to a happy issue all his plans. The psalmist had had experience of that in the past. God had done this in former trials; he felt assured that God would do it in this; and he, therefore, came to God with a confident belief that all would be safe in his hands.

He shall send from heaven - That is, from himself; or, he will interpose to save me. The psalmist does not say “how” he expected this interposition - whether by an angel, by a miracle, by tempest or storm, but he felt that help was to come from God alone, and he was sure that it would come.

And save me from the reproach... - This would be more correctly rendered, “He shall save me; he shall reproach him that would swallow me up.” So it is rendered in the margin. On the word rendered would swallow me up, see the notes at (Psalms 56:1). The idea here is that God would “rebuke” or “reproach,” namely, by overthrowing him who sought to devour or destroy him. God had interposed formerly in his behalf (Psalms 57:2), and he felt assured that he would do it again.

Selah - This seems here to be a mere musical pause. It has no connection with the sense. See the notes at (Psalms 3:2).

God shall send forth his mercy - In saving me. He will manifest his mercy.

And his truth - His fidelity to his promise; his faithfulness to those who put their trust in him. He will show himself true to all the promises which he has made. Compare Psalm 40:11.

My soul is among lions - That is, among people who resemble lions; men who are fierce, savage, and ferocious.

And I lie even among them that are set on fire - We have a term of similar meaning in common use now, when we say that someone 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 Professor Alexander suggests, but that he actually did lie down in this way. When he laid himself down at night, when he sought repose in sleep, he was surrounded by such people and seemed to be sleeping in the middle of them.

Even the sons of men - Yet they are not wild beasts, but men who seem to have the ferocious nature of wild beasts. The phrase sons of men is often used to denote men themselves.

Whose teeth are spears and arrows - Spears and arrows in their hands are what the teeth of wild beasts are.

And their tongue a sharp sword - The mention of the tongue here refers, probably, to the abuse and slander to which he was exposed, and which was like a sharp sword that pierced even to the seat of life. See the notes at (Psalms 55:21).

Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens - . The language here is that of a man who in trouble lifts his thoughts to God; who feels that God reigns; who is assured in his own soul that all things are under his hand; and who desires that God should be magnified whatever may become of himself. His prime and leading wish is not for himself, for his own safety, for his own deliverance from danger; it is that God may be honored—that the name of God may be glorified—that God may be regarded as supreme over all things—that God may be exalted in the highest possible degree—an idea expressed in the prayer that he may be exalted above the heavens.

Let thy glory be above all the earth - The honor of your name; your praise. Let it be regarded, and be in fact, above all that pertains to this lower world; let everything on earth, or that pertains to earth, be subordinate to you, or be surrendered for you. This was the comfort which David found in trouble. And this is the only true source of consolation. The welfare of the universe depends on God; and that God should be true, and just, and good, and worthy of confidence and love; that he should reign; that his law should be obeyed; that his plans should be accomplished—is of more importance to the universe than anything that merely pertains to us; than the success of any of our own plans; than our health, our prosperity, or our life.