Psalms 57

Psalms 57:1-11

Psalms 57 Structure - The refrains of Psalms 57 divide it into two sections. Psalms 57:1-5 are a cry for God’s mercy in the midst of evil. Psalms 57:6-11 are a response of praise for God’s steadfastness in our lives. Psalms 57:5; Psalms 57:11 are refrains, indicating that this Psalm was used as a song in temple worship. Psalms 57:1 (To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.) Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. Psalms 57:1 — “Michtam of David” – Word Study on “Michtam” - Strong says the Hebrew word “michtam” (ξִ ?λְ ?ϊָּ ?ν) (H4387) literally means, “an engraving,” and as a technical term, “a poem.” He says this word comes from a Hebrew root word (λָּ ?ϊַ ?ν) (H3799), which means “to carve, or engrave.” Therefore, some translations prefer to use a poetic term (NLT, Rotherham), while others prefer a more literal translation (DRC, LXX, VgClem). NLT, “A psalm of David” Rotherham, “A Precious Psalm of David” DRC, “The inscription of a title to David himself” LXX, “ΣτηλογραφίατῷΔαυιδ” VgClem, “Tituli inscriptio, ipsi David” Comments - A similar Hebrew word (λֶּ ?ϊֶ ?ν) (3800) means, “something carved out, i.e. ore; hence, gold.” Peter Craigie tells us that some scholars translate the title “A Golden Psalm” from “early rabbinical interpretations.”[80] Therefore, we get a variety of translations that carry the idea of treasure or gold. [80] Peter C. Craigie, Psalms 1-50, in Word Biblical Commentary: 58 Volumes on CD-Rom, vol. 19, eds. Bruce M. Metzger, David A. Hubbard and Glenn W. Barker (Dallas: Word Inc., 2002), in Libronix Digital Library System, v. 2.1c [CD-ROM] (Bellingham, WA: Libronix Corp., 2000-2004), 154.LITV, YLT, “A Secret Treasure of David” Luther, “Ein gόlden Kleinod David” There are six so called “Michtam Psalms” (16, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60), which open with the phrase “Michtam of David.” A similar title “the writing of Hezekiah” is used as the title for the psalm of Hezekiah in Isaiah 38:9-20, which uses a similar Hebrew word (ξִ ?λְ ?ϊָּ ?α) (H4385), means “a writing, the characters of something written, or a document such as a letter, a copy, an edict, or a poem.” Psalms 57:6 They 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. Psalms 57:7-11 — — Comments - Psalms 57:7-11 is also found in Psalms 108:1-5.