Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens ,.... As Christ now is at the Father's right hand, and who is God over all, blessed for ever; let thy glory be above all the earth ; as it is above all the men on earth and angels in heaven. This is repeated from Psalm 57:5 ; See Gill on Psalm 57:5 , and shows the vehemency of his desire after these things, and how much his heart was set upon them. 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
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
The strophe of "triumphant confidence" now begins, but with an echo from the strophe of complaint. The enemy is still at work, still plotting against the psalmist, still seeking to do him a mischief; but the efforts made are in vain. They only bring the enemy himself into trouble ( Psalms 57:6 ), and cause the psalmist to pour forth a song of joy ( Psalms 57:7-11 ). read more
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory he above all the earth (compare the comment on Psalms 57:5 , with which this verso is identical). read more
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens - See the notes at Psalms 57:5. The sentiment here is repeated as being that on which the mind of the psalmist was intensely fixed; that which he most earnestly desired; that which was the crowning aim and desire of his life. read more
Psalms 57:7-11. My heart is fixed Hebrew, נכון , nachon, prepared, or, established; namely, in a full assurance of obtaining thy merciful help. It was ready to sink with fear, but now I have, through thy grace, conquered my fears, and am fixed in a steadfast belief of, and confidence in thy promises. Or, my heart is prepared to sing and give praise, as it follows. Awake up, my glory, &c. My tongue, wherewith I ought to glorify thee, shall be no longer silent; nor shall any... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 57:7-11
How strangely is the tune altered here! David's prayers and complaints, by the lively actings of faith, are here, all of a sudden, turned into praises and thanksgivings; his sackcloth is loosed, he is girded with gladness, and his hallelujahs are as fervent as his hosannas. This should make us in love with prayer, that, sooner or later, it will be swallowed up in praise. Observe, I. How he prepares himself for the duty of praise (Ps. 57:7): My heart is fixed, O God! my heart is fixed. My heart... read more