Psalms 57

Psalms 57:1-11

“ In the Shadow of Thy Wings” Psalms 57:1-11 This is one of the choicest psalms. It dates from Adullam or Engedi. It consists of two sections, each of which ends with the same refrain, Psalms 57:5; Psalms 57:11. First strophe, Psalms 57:1-5 The fugitive among rocky fastnesses hears the roar of the wild beast, but lies quietly in his hiding-place. God’ s angels will shut lions’ mouths. “ As the wings of a mother-bird intercept the danger that menaces her nestlings, so the loving care of God protects His people. Is there not here a trace of words uttered earlier by David’ s ancestor? Rth 2:12; Deuteronomy 32:11. Second strophe, Psalms 57:6-11 Before we can awake and sing, we must be conscious that we are touching bedrock. If we are without assurance of salvation, we shall be songless and joyless. In this short psalm the singer has sung himself clear into the blue heaven. He awakes the dawn with His notes. God’ s mercy and truth-or faithfulness-like guardian angels in the meanwhile keep watch.

The soul among lions This is one of the choicest of the Psalms. It is dated from the cave of Adullam or the hold at Engedi. The resemblances to Psalms 7:1-17 probably point to the latter. The Psalm falls into two parts, each of which closes with a similar refrain.

Psalms 57:1. In the shadow of Thy wings As the hills were David’s refuge from Saul, so was God the cave of refuge for his soul. Is there also a reminiscence of words spoken to his ancestress the Moabite maiden? (Rth 2:12). God’s care is like an eagle’s wing for strength and like a hen’s for gentleness (Matthew 23:37).

Psalms 57:2. God that performeth all things for me Why should we not let God do “all things” for us and through us? (Hebrews 13:20-21).

Psalms 57:3. He shall send from heaven With this confidence, we need not fear “him that would swallow us up.”

Psalms 57:4. My soul is among lions Delitzsch here says that, as the fugitive among those rocky fastnesses prepares himself for his night’s rest, he hears the growl of the beasts of prey from which his refuge protects him. So did God save David from his foes.

Psalms 57:5 Be Thou exalted, O God! Let us sometimes rise above our personal griefs in passionate desire for God’s glory.

Psalms 57:7. O God, my heart is fixed! The steadfast and prepared heart is always in a condition of holy song. May God keep us fixed!

Psalms 57:8-9. I will awake right early! (R.V., marg.) If the earlier verses marked the writer’s thoughts at eventide, here is his morning’s resolution. Glory stands for soul (See also Psalms 16:9). He who lies down to sleep among lions shall yet arise to praise.

Psalms 57:10. Be Thou exalted, O God! Mercy and Truth had come as he expected (Psalms 36:5; Psalms 108:4). As he closes, he magnifies Him who stooping from heaven had lifted him to heaven.