Psalm 57:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 57:1-6

The title of this psalm has one word new in it, Al-taschith?Destroy not. Some make it to be only some known tune to which this psalm was set; others apply it to the occasion and matter of the psalm. Destroy not; that is, David would not let Saul be destroyed, when now in the cave there was a fair opportunity of killing him, and his servants would fain have done so. No, says David, destroy him not, 1 Sam. 24:4, 6. Or, rather, God would not let David be destroyed by Saul; he suffered him to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 57:1

Be merciful unto me, O God ,.... Or "be gracious to me" F11 חנני "gratiam fac mihi", Junius & Tremellius, Cocceius; so Piscator, Ainsworth. ; which words are repeated by him. "Be merciful", or "gracious, unto me"; to show the greatness of his distress, the eagerness, vehemency, and importunity he used in prayer; his case requiring a speedy answer, and immediate relief; and that he expected only from the mercy and grace of God; See Gill on Psalm 56:1 ; for my soul trusteth in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 57:1

Be merciful unto me - To show David's deep earnestness, he repeats this twice; he was in great danger, surrounded by implacable enemies, and he knew that God alone could deliver him. My soul trusteth in thee - I put my life into thy hand; and my immortal spirit knows no other portion than thyself. In the shadow of thy wings - A metaphor taken from the brood of a hen taking shelter under her wings when they see a bird of prey; and there they continue to hide themselves till their... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 57:1

Verse 1 1.Be merciful unto me, O God! The repetition of the prayer proves that the grief, the anxiety, and the apprehension, with which David was filled at this time, must have been of no common description. It is noticeable, that his plea for mercy is, his having hoped in God. His soul trusted in him; and this is a form of expression the force of which is not to be overlooked: for it implies that the trust which he exercised proceeded from his very innermost affections, — that it was of no... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 57:1

Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee (compare the preceding psalm, Psalms 57:1 and Psalms 57:4 ). Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge (see the comment on Psalms 17:8 ; and comp. Psalms 36:7 ; Psalms 61:4 ; Psalms 63:7 ; Psalms 91:4 ). The metaphor is first used in Deuteronomy 32:11 . Until these calamities (rather, these wickednesses, or these malignities ) be overpast. That they will pass away the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 57:1-11

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 57:1-11

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 57:1-11

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 57:1

Be merciful unto me, O God - The same beginning as the former psalm - a cry for mercy; an overwhelming sense of trouble and danger leading him to come at once to the throne of God for help. See the notes at Psalms 56:1.For my soul trusteth in thee - See the notes at Psalms 56:3. He had nowhere else to go; there was no one on whom he could rely but God.Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge - Under the protection or covering of his wings - as young birds seek protection under the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 57:1

Psalms 57:1. Be merciful unto me, O God Thus the psalmist prays, and looks to God for help, when surrounded with enemies: and he repeats his petition because of the greatness of his danger, and through the fervency of his spirit in his request, withal implying that his whole hope and trust was in God’s mercy. Yea, in the shadow of thy wings In thy almighty protection; will I make my refuge Will I still depend, as I have hitherto done, for defence and preservation; until these... read more

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