< Psalms 57 >
1 To the chief Musician. 'Destroy not.' Of David. Michtam; when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be gracious unto me, O God, be gracious unto me; for my soul taketh refuge in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings do I take refuge, until the calamities be overpast.
Be merciful to me, God, show favor to me, for my soul takes refuge in you. Yes, in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, until disaster has passed.
2 I will call unto God, the Most High; unto God that performeth [all] for me.
I cry out to El 'Elyon [God Most High], to God who accomplishes my requests for me.
3 He will send from the heavens and save me; he hath covered with reproach him that would swallow me up. (Selah) God hath sent forth his loving-kindness and his truth.
He will send from heaven, and save me, he rebukes the one who is pursuing me. (Selah) ·contemplation with musical interlude·. God will send out his chesed ·loving-kindness· and his truth.
4 My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down [among] them that breathe out flames, the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
My soul is among lions. I lie among those who are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
5 Be exalted above the heavens, O God; let thy glory be above all the earth!
Be exalted, God, above the heavens! Let your kavod ·weighty glory· be above all the earth!
6 They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down: they have digged a pit before me; they are fallen into the midst thereof. (Selah)
They have prepared a net for my steps. My soul is bowed down. They dig a pit before me. They fall into the middle of it themselves. (Selah) ·contemplation with musical interlude·.
7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing, yea, I will sing psalms.
My heart is steadfast, God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing, yes, I will sing zahmar ·musical praise·.
8 Awake, my glory; awake, lute and harp: I will wake the dawn.
Wake up, my glory! Wake up, lute and harp! I will wake up the dawn.
9 I will give thee thanks among the peoples, O Lord; of thee will I sing psalms among the nations:
I will yadah ·extend hands in thankful praise· to you, Lord, among the peoples. I will sing zahmar ·musical praise· to you among the nations.
10 For thy loving-kindness is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.
For your great chesed ·loving-kindness· reaches to the heavens, and your truth to the skies.
11 Be exalted above the heavens, O God; let thy glory be above all the earth!
Be exalted, God, above the heavens. Let your kavod ·weighty glory· be over all the earth.