Psa 57 | MHM | STEP | David’s Prayer for Mercy and Protection This psalm was written by David when he was in the cave, hiding from Saul. The title includes the phrase Al-taschith—Destroy not . Some people think this was a tune for the psalm, but others believe it refers to David’s decision not to kill Saul, even when he had a chance (1 Samuel 24:4, 6 ). It could also mean God would not let David be destroyed by Saul, just as God did not let Satan take Job’s life but only allowed him to suffer (Job 2:6 ). David had to be kept alive because God’s blessing was on him, pointing forward to Christ (Isaiah 65:8 ). This psalm shows us David’s thoughts and prayers while in danger, and it encourages us to trust in God when we are afraid. v. 1 : David begins with prayer, asking, Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me . He repeats this prayer, showing deep feeling and real need. Like the tax collector in Luke 18:13 , he truly seeks God’s mercy, not just saying the words carelessly. David trusts God completely and takes shelter in Him, saying, In the shadow of your wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities pass by . He believes that trouble will not last forever, just as Jesus said, The things concerning me have an end (Luke 22:37 ). David feels safe under God’s care, like chicks hiding under a hen’s wings (Matthew 23:37 ). He knows that God is both quick to help and can give comfort, even during hard times. David also remembers God’s promises, like the wings of the cherubim over the ark, where God’s presence was with His people (Psalm 80:1 ). He puts his faith in God’s word and finds security there.

‏ Psalms 57

David’s Prayer for Mercy and Protection

This psalm was written by David when he was in the cave, hiding from Saul. The title includes the phrase Al-taschith—Destroy not. Some people think this was a tune for the psalm, but others believe it refers to David’s decision not to kill Saul, even when he had a chance (1 Samuel 24:4, 6 ^a). It could also mean God would not let David be destroyed by Saul, just as God did not let Satan take Job’s life but only allowed him to suffer (Job 2:6 ^b). David had to be kept alive because God’s blessing was on him, pointing forward to Christ (Isaiah 65:8 ^c). This psalm shows us David’s thoughts and prayers while in danger, and it encourages us to trust in God when we are afraid.

v. 1: David begins with prayer, asking, Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me . He repeats this prayer, showing deep feeling and real need. Like the tax collector in Luke 18:13 ^d, he truly seeks God’s mercy, not just saying the words carelessly. David trusts God completely and takes shelter in Him, saying, In the shadow of your wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities pass by . He believes that trouble will not last forever, just as Jesus said, The things concerning me have an end (Luke 22:37 ^e). David feels safe under God’s care, like chicks hiding under a hen’s wings (Matthew 23:37 ^f). He knows that God is both quick to help and can give comfort, even during hard times. David also remembers God’s promises, like the wings of the cherubim over the ark, where God’s presence was with His people (Psalm 80:1 ^g). He puts his faith in God’s word and finds security there.

v. 2: David tells God that his desire is for Him alone. He says, I will cry unto God most high, unto God who performs all things for me . David recognizes that everything that happens is part of God’s plan. Whatever God does for His people is ultimately for their good, even when it is hard to see in the moment. Because God is so great and yet cares for people, David prays eagerly to Him in his trouble.

v. 3: David expects help from God. He says, He shall send from heaven, and save me . He knows that only God can rescue him, especially when there is no help from people around him. David trusts God to save him from the insults and threats of his enemies. He believes God will send mercy and truth to help him. God’s goodness and faithfulness are all that he needs (Psalm 25:10 ^h).

v. 4: David describes his enemies as dangerous and cruel. He says, My soul is among lions . Saul and his men are like wild animals, always ready to attack. Their words are like sharp swords and their actions like spears and arrows. Their anger and hatred are fiery, and they even encourage each other to harm David. Their tongues are especially dangerous, as they spread lies and insults (Psalm 42:10; James 3:6 ⁱ). David also mentions the traps his enemies set for him. They dig pits and set nets to catch him, hoping he will fall (Psalm 57:6 ^j). This makes David sad and discouraged, but in the end, the traps his enemies set for him become traps for themselves. When they tried to hurt David, they ended up in trouble themselves, just like what happened when Saul was chasing David, but was interrupted by the Philistines, or when Saul ended up in David’s power in the cave.

v. 5: David prays that God’s name will be honored above all else. He says, Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth (Psalm 57:5 ^k). David is more concerned about God’s glory than his own safety. Even in danger, he prays that God will be praised everywhere. This is similar to Jesus’ prayer, Father, glorify your name (John 12:27-28 ^l). When we pray, we should also care most about God’s honor, just as the Lord’s Prayer begins, Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name (Matthew 6:9 ^m).

–

Prayer Turned to Praise

This section shows a sudden change in David’s attitude. His prayers and worries are now replaced with thankfulness and praise. It is as if his sadness was turned into joy. This reminds us that when we pray, our troubles can eventually lead us to praise God. Prayer does not always end in sorrow—it can bring us to a place of happiness and gratitude.

v. 7: David prepares himself to praise God. He says, My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed . His heart, once bowed down by trouble (Psalm 57:6 ⁿ), is now strong and steady. He is ready for anything because he trusts God, just like it says, He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord (Psalm 112:7; Isaiah 26:3 ^o). He is focused on worship, ready to sing and give praise. David knows that true worship must come from the heart, and he wants his heart to be fully involved and not distracted.

v. 8: David encourages himself to praise God with energy and excitement. He says, Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early . His “glory” means his soul or his tongue, which is used to praise God. He wants his praise to be lively, not lazy or half-hearted. David will even wake up early to praise God, starting his day with worship. He wants to meet God’s kindness with quick and joyful thanks.

v. 9: David promises to praise God publicly. He says, I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations . This shows that he is not ashamed of God. He wants everyone to hear about God’s goodness. David hopes others will join him in worship and that God’s praise will spread everywhere. Even when David was far from home, he would never hide his faith. His psalms help people all over the world praise God. In this way, he is still praising God among the nations, just as John was told to speak before many peoples and nations (Revelation 10:11 ^p).

v. 10: David explains why he praises God. He says, For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds . God’s mercy and faithfulness are so great that we cannot measure them. They reach higher than the sky. These same qualities gave David hope and comfort earlier (Psalm 57:3 ^q). Now they are the reason for his thanksgiving. God’s mercy and truth are praised in heaven by angels, and David wants to spread this praise across the earth (Psalm 57:9 ^r).

v. 11: David ends with the same words he used earlier: Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth (Psalm 57:11 ^s). He asks God to make His name great everywhere. Even though people try to praise God, only God Himself can truly exalt His name as it deserves (Nehemiah 9:5 ^t). David is saying, “Father, glorify your own name.” He wants God’s glory to be seen in heaven and on earth, now and always.