Among the people - The Israelites. Among the nations - The Gentiles at large. A prophecy either relating to the Gospel times, Christ being considered as the Speaker: or a prediction that these Divine compositions should be sung, both in synagogues and in Christian churches, in all the nations of the earth. And it is so: wherever the name of Christ is known, there is David's known also. read more
Thy mercy is great unto the heavens - It is as far above all human description and comprehension as the heavens are above the earth. See the notes on Psalm 36:5 , Psalm 36:6 , where nearly the same words occur. read more
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens - The same sentiments and words which occur in Psalm 57:5 ; (note). See the note there. David was not only in a happy state of mind when he wrote this Psalm, but in what is called a state of triumph. His confidence in God was unbounded; though encompassed by the most ferocious enemies, and having all things against him except God and his innocence. David will seldom be found in a more blessed state than he here describes. Similar faith in God... read more
Verse 7 7.My heart is prepared, O God! (344) Some read fixed, or confirmed, and the Hebrew word נכון,nacon, bears that signification as well as the other. If we adopt it, we must understand David as saying that he had well and duly meditated upon the praises which he was about to offer; that he did not rush into a hurried and perfunctory discharge of this service, as too many are apt to do, but addressed himself to it with steadfast purpose of heart. I prefer, however, the other translation,... read more
Verse 8 8.Awake up, my tongue David here expresses, in poetical terms, the ardor with which his soul was inspired. He calls upon tongue, psaltery, and harp, to prepare for the celebration of the name of God. The word כבוד, cabod, which I have translated tongue, some have rendered glory; but although this is its more common signification, it bears the other in the sixteenth psalm, and in numerous places of Scripture. The context proves this to be its signification here, David intimating that he... read more
Verse 9 9.I will praise thee, O Lord! among the peoples. As the nations and peoples are here said to be auditors of the praise which he offered, we must infer that David, in the sufferings spoken of throughout the psalm, represented Christ. This it is important to observe, as it proves that our own state and character are set before us in this psalm as in a glass. That the words have reference to Christ’s kingdom, we have the authority of Paul for concluding, (Romans 15:9,) and, indeed, might... read more
The psalm is divided by its refrain ( Psalms 57:5 , Psalms 57:11 ) into two parts, which are further subdivided by the pause mark, "Selah." The initial strophe ( Psalms 57:1-5 ) is a mixture of prayer and complaint; the concluding one ( Psalms 57:6-11 ) begins with complaint ( Psalms 57:6 ), but almost immediately changes into "a strain of exulting and triumphant confidence," so exulting and triumphant as to cause its selection by our Church for recitation on Easter Day. read more
One of God's rescues. The Bible is full of records of deliverances, not only deliverances of nations, hut rescues of individuals. These things are "written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope" ( Romans 15:4 ). We have in this psalm the story of one of God's rescues. We see— I. RESCUE SORELY NEEDED . The enemies of the soul are represented as strong, crafty, and merciless. They are savage as "lions." They use guile and deceit,... read more
Expectation and assurance of deliverance. In many respects this psalm is very like the previous one. May be regarded under two general aspects. As expressing ― I. THE PSALMIST 'S EXPECTATION OF DELIVERANCE FROM DANGER . ( Psalms 57:1-6 .) Founded: 1 . Upon his trust in God ' s tender protection . ( Psalms 57:1 ; Deuteronomy 22:11 , Deuteronomy 22:12 .) This faith in the tender love of God "has no parallel in heathen literature." 2 . God could not... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 57:8
Awake up, my glory - Instead of כבודי kebodi , "my glory," one MS., and the Syriac, have כנורי kinnori , "my harp." Dr. Kennicott reads כבורי kebori , which he supposes to be some instrument of music; and adds that the instrument used in church-music by the Ethiopians is now called כבר kaber . I think the Syriac likely to be the true reading: "Awake up, my harp; awake, psaltery and harp: I will awake early." Such repetitions are frequent in the Hebrew poets. If we read my... read more