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 of the music. To be sung to the tune of “Do not destroy.” A psalm of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.” Have pity upon me, O God! have pity upon me, For in thee doth my soul seek refuge! Yea, in the shadow of thy wings do I take shelter, Until these 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 call upon God the Most High, Upon God, who performeth all things 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; He will put to shame him that panteth for my life; (Pause) God will 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 life is in the midst of lions; I dwell among them that breathe out fire; Among men whose teeth are spears and arrows, And whose tongue is a sharp sword.
5 God, show in the heavens that you are very great! And show your glory to people all over the earth!
Exalt thyself, O God! above the heavens, And thy glory 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, But into it they have themselves fallen.
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 strengthened, O God! my heart is strengthened! I will sing, and give thanks.
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 soul! awake, psaltery and harp! I will wake with the early 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 thee, O Lord! among the nations; I will sing to thee among the kingdoms!
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 reacheth to the heavens, And thy truth to the clouds!
11 God, show in the heavens that you are very great! And show your glory [to people] all over the earth!
Exalt thyself, O God! above the heavens, And thy glory above all the earth!
