Psalms 57
1 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.
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, for in You my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until the danger has passed.
2 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.
I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me.
3 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).
He reaches down from heaven and saves me; He rebukes those who trample me. (Selah) God sends forth His loving devotion and His truth.
4 [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].
My soul is among the lions; I lie down with ravenous beasts— with men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
5 God, show in the heavens that you are very great! And show your glory to people all over the earth!
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; may Your glory cover all the earth.
6 [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!
They spread a net for my feet; my soul was despondent. They dug a pit before me, but they themselves have fallen into it!
7 God, I have complete confidence [DOU] in you. I will sing to you, and I will praise you while I sing.
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and make music.
8 I will awaken myself; I will arise before the sun rises and [praise you while I play] my harp or my (lyre/small harp).
Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.
9 Lord, I will thank you among [all] the people; and I will sing to praise you among [many] ethnic groups,
I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing Your praises among the peoples.
10 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].
For Your loving devotion reaches to the heavens, and Your faithfulness to the clouds.
11 God, show in the heavens that you are very great! And show your glory [to people] all over the earth!
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; may Your glory cover all the earth.
