Psalms 57
1 [For the Chief Musician. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." A poem by David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.] Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me, for my soul takes refuge in you. Yes, in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, until disaster has passed.
God, be merciful to me! Act mercifully toward me because I come to you to protect me. I ask you to protect me [like little birds are protected under their mother’s] wings [MET] until the storm/danger is ended.
2 I cry out to God Most High, to God who accomplishes my requests for me.
God, you who are greater than all other gods, I cry out to you, the one who enables me to do all that you desire.
3 He will send from heaven, and save me, he rebukes the one who is pursuing me. (Selah) God will send out his loving kindness and his truth.
You will answer me from heaven and rescue me, but you will cause those who oppress me to be [defeated and] disgraced! (Think about that!) God will [always] faithfully love me and (will be faithful/will do what he promises).
4 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.
[Sometimes] I am surrounded by [my enemies who are like] lions that [kill] humans; [they are like] lions that chew with their teeth [animals that they kill]; but my enemies have spears and arrows, not teeth; and [the false things that] they say [MTY] [hurt people as much as] sharp swords [hurt people] [MET].
5 Be exalted, God, above the heavens. Let your glory be above all the earth.
God, show in the heavens that you are very great! And show your glory to people all over the earth!
6 They have prepared a net for my steps. My soul is bowed down. They dig a pit before me. They fall into its midst themselves. (Selah)
[It is as if] [MET, HYP] my enemies spread a net to seize me, and I became very distressed [IDM]. [It is as if] [MET, HYP] they dug a deep pit along the path where I walk, but they themselves fell into it!
7 My heart is steadfast, God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises.
God, I have complete confidence [DOU] in you. I will sing to you, and I will praise you while I sing.
8 Wake up, my glory. Wake up, psaltery and harp. I will wake up the dawn.
I will awaken myself; I will arise before the sun rises and [praise you while I play] my harp or my (lyre/small harp).
9 I will give thanks to you, Jehovah, among the peoples. I will sing praises to you among the nations.
Lord, I will thank you among [all] the people; and I will sing to praise you among [many] ethnic groups,
10 For your great loving kindness reaches to the heavens, and your truth to the skies.
because your faithful love for us is [as great as the distance from the earth] to the sky, and because your (faithfulness/faithfully doing what you promise) is [as great as the distance] up to the clouds [MET].
11 Be exalted, God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth.
God, show in the heavens that you are very great! And show your glory [to people] all over the earth!
