Psalms 57
1 To the chief Musician. 'Destroy not.' Of David. Michtam; when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be gracious unto me, O God, be gracious unto me; for my soul taketh refuge in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings do I take refuge, until the calamities be overpast.
For the music director. According to “Do Not Destroy.” A psalm (miktam) of David concerning the time he fled from Saul and hid in the cave. Please be kind to me, God! Be kind to me because I come to you for protection. I will shelter under the shadow of your wings until the danger is past.
2 I will call unto God, the Most High; unto God that performeth [all] for me.
I cry out for help to God Most High, to God who vindicates me.
3 He will send from the heavens and save me; he hath covered with reproach him that would swallow me up. (Selah) God hath sent forth his loving-kindness and his truth.
From heaven he sends his help, and he saves me. He defeats those who persecute me. (Selah) God sends me his unfailing love, showing he is completely trustworthy.
4 My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down [among] them that breathe out flames, the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
I am surrounded by man-eating lions—I am forced to live with them! Their teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongues are swords.
5 Be exalted above the heavens, O God; let thy glory be above all the earth!
God, your greatness is above the highest heavens; and your glory covers the whole earth!
6 They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down: they have digged a pit before me; they are fallen into the midst thereof. (Selah)
They set a trap to catch me. I was so depressed. They dug a pit on my path but they were the ones who fell into it. (Selah)
7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing, yea, I will sing psalms.
I have confidence in you, God, I have confidence in you. I will sing songs of praise to you.
8 Awake, my glory; awake, lute and harp: I will wake the dawn.
I say to myself, “Wake up!” Wake up, harp and lyre! I will wake up the dawn!
9 I will give thee thanks among the peoples, O Lord; of thee will I sing psalms among the nations:
I will thank you among the peoples, Lord; I will sing your praises among the nations.
10 For thy loving-kindness is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.
Your faithful love reaches to the heavens; your trustworthiness to the clouds.
11 Be exalted above the heavens, O God; let thy glory be above all the earth!
God, your greatness is above the highest heavens; and your glory covers the whole earth!
