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 Leader; Al-tashheth. A Psalm of David; Michtam; when he fled from Saul, in the cave. Be gracious unto me, O God, be gracious unto me, for in Thee hath my soul taken refuge; yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I take refuge, until calamities be overpast.
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 will cry unto God Most high; unto God that accomplisheth it 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 will send from heaven, and save me, when he that would swallow me up taunteth; (Selah) God shall send forth His mercy 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 lions, I do lie down among them that are aflame; even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
5 God, show in the heavens that you are very great! And show your glory to people all over the earth!
Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; Thy glory be above 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 have prepared a net for my steps, my soul is bowed down; they have digged a pit before me, they are fallen into the midst thereof themselves. (Selah)
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 stedfast, O God, my heart is stedfast; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises.
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, psaltery and harp; I will awake 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 give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises unto Thee among the nations.
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 Thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and Thy truth unto the skies.
11 God, show in the heavens that you are very great! And show your glory [to people] all over the earth!
Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; Thy glory be above all the earth.
