Psalms 57
1 To the Chief Musician. "Do not destroy." A precious Psalm, of David. When he fled from the face of Saul into the Cave. Show me favour, O God, Show me favour, For, in thee, hath my soul sought refuge, —And, in the shadow of thy wings, will I seek refuge, Until the storm of ruin pass by.
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 will cry unto God Most High, Unto GOD, who accomplisheth on my behalf:
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 out of heaven, that he may save me, He who is panting for me, hath reproached. (Selah) God will send out his lovingkindness and his faithfulness.
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 in the midst of lions, I lie down amidst flames, As for the sons of men, Their teeth, are spear and arrows, And, their tongue, is 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 Above the Heavens, O God, Above all the earth, thy glory!
God, show in the heavens that you are very great! And show your glory to people all over the earth!
6 A net, did they fix for my steps, My soul was bowed down, —They digged before me a pit, They fell into the midst thereof! (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 Fixed is my heart, O God, Fixed is my heart, I will sing, and touch the strings.
God, I have complete confidence [DOU] in you. I will sing to you, and I will praise you while I sing.
8 Awake, mine honour, Awake, harp and lyre, I will awaken 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 thank thee, among the peoples, O My Lord, I will praise thee in song, among the races of men.
Lord, I will thank you among [all] the people; and I will sing to praise you among [many] ethnic groups,
10 For, great, unto the heavens, is thy lovingkindness, And, unto the skies, thy faithfulness.
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 Above the heavens, O God, Above all the earth, thy glory!
God, show in the heavens that you are very great! And show your glory [to people] all over the earth!
