Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

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 57:4

My soul is among lions ,.... Not literally understood; though such there might be in the wildernesses where he sometimes was; but figuratively, men comparable to lions, for their stoutness, courage, strength, fierceness, and cruelty; meaning not his own men, as some think, who were fierce, and of keen resentment against Saul, and would fain have killed him when he was in the cave, had they not been restrained by David, 1 Samuel 24:4 ; but Saul, and those with him, who were three thousand... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 57:4

My soul is among lions - לבאם בתוך bethoch lebaim . I agree with Dr. Kennicott that this should be translated, "My soul dwells in parched places," from לאב laab , he thirsted. And thus the Chaldee seems to have understood the place, though it be not explicit. I lie even among them that are set on fire - I seem to be among coals. It is no ordinary rage and malice by which I am pursued: each of my enemies seems determined to have my life. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 57:4

Verse 4 4.My soul is among lions. He again insists upon the cruelty of his enemies as a plea to prevail with God for his speedier interposition. He compares them to lions, speaks of them as inflamed with fury or implacable hatred, and likens their teeth to spears and arrows. In what he says of their tongue, he alludes to the virulent calumnies which are vended by the wicked, and which inflict a deeper wound than any sword upon the innocent party who suffers from them. David, as is well known,... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 57:4

My soul is among lions (comp. Psalms 7:2 ; Psalms 10:9 ; Psalms 17:12 ; Psalms 22:21 , etc.). And I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men —literally, I lie on firebands, sons of men — whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. David occupies the cave (of Adullam?), while around him prowl lion-like men, whose fury is like that of firebrands, who threaten to devour him with their sharp teeth, and to pierce his soul with their... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 57:4

My soul is among lions - That is, among people who resemble lions; men, fierce, savage, ferocious.And I lie even among them that are set on fire - We have a term of similar import in common use now, when we say that one is “inflamed” with passion, referring to one who is infuriated and enraged. So we speak of “burning” with rage or wrath - an expression derived, perhaps, from the inflamed “appearance” of a man in anger. The idea here is not that he “would” lie down calmly among those persons,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 57:4

Psalms 57:4. My soul is among lions I live in the midst of a generation of fierce and bloody men; I lie That is, I have my abode; among them that are set on fire Namely, of, or from hell, James 3:6, who are mere firebrands and incendiaries, that are continually breathing out their wrath and threatenings. Even the sons of men Whereby he explains what he meant by lions, and tells us that they were beasts in the shape of men; whose teeth With which they gnash upon me, and with which... read more

Group of Brands