Psalms 57
1 For the chief musician; set to Al Tashheth. A psalm of David. A michtam; when he fled from Saul, in the cave. Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me, for I take refuge in you until these troubles are over. I stay under your wings for protection until this destruction is over.
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 to God Most High, to God, who does all things 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 help from heaven and save me, he is angry with those who crush me. (Selah) God will send me his loving kindness 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 life is among lions; I am among those who are ready to devour me. I am among people whose teeth are spears and arrows, and whose tongues are sharp swords.
[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 spread out a net for my feet; I was distressed. They dug a pit in front of me. They themselves have fallen into the middle of it! (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 fixed, God, my heart is fixed; 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 honored heart; wake up, lute 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, Lord, 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 great is your unfailing love, reaching to the heavens; and your faithfulness to the clouds.
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; may your glory be exalted over all the earth.
God, show in the heavens that you are very great! And show your glory [to people] all over the earth!
