< Psalms 57 >
1 To the Overseer. — 'Destroy not.' — A secret treasure of David, in his fleeing from the face of Saul into a cave. Favour me, O God, favour me, For in Thee is my soul trusting, And in the shadow of Thy wings I trust, Until the calamities pass over.
For the music director. According to “Do Not Destroy.” A psalm (miktam) of David concerning the time he fled from Saul and hid in the cave. Please be kind to me, God! Be kind to me because I come to you for protection. I will shelter under the shadow of your wings until the danger is past.
2 I call to God Most High, To God [who] is perfecting for me.
I cry out for help to God Most High, to God who vindicates me.
3 He sendeth from the heaven, and saveth me, He reproached — who is panting after me. (Selah) God sendeth forth His kindness and His truth.
From heaven he sends his help, and he saves me. He defeats those who persecute me. (Selah) God sends me his unfailing love, showing he is completely trustworthy.
4 My soul [is] in the midst of lions, I lie down [among] flames — sons of men, Their teeth [are] a spear and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword.
I am surrounded by man-eating lions—I am forced to live with them! Their teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongues are swords.
5 Be Thou exalted above the heavens, O God, Above all the earth Thine honour.
God, your greatness is above the highest heavens; and your glory covers the whole earth!
6 A net they have prepared for my steps, Bowed down hath my soul, They have digged before me a pit, They have fallen into its midst. (Selah)
They set a trap to catch me. I was so depressed. They dug a pit on my path but they were the ones who fell into it. (Selah)
7 Prepared is my heart, O God, Prepared is my heart, I sing and praise.
I have confidence in you, God, I have confidence in you. I will sing songs of praise to you.
8 Awake, mine honour, awake, psaltery and harp, I awake the morning dawn.
I say to myself, “Wake up!” Wake up, harp and lyre! I will wake up the dawn!
9 I thank Thee among the peoples, O Lord, I praise Thee among the nations.
I will thank you among the peoples, Lord; I will sing your praises among the nations.
10 For great unto the heavens [is] Thy kindness, And unto the clouds Thy truth.
Your faithful love reaches to the heavens; your trustworthiness to the clouds.
11 Be thou exalted above the heavens, O God. Above all the earth Thine honour!
God, your greatness is above the highest heavens; and your glory covers the whole earth!