Psalms 57:1

New Living Translation

For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time he fled from Saul and went into the cave. To be sung to the tune "Do Not Destroy!"

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by.

Parallel Translations

Legacy Standard Bible
Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me,For my soul takes refuge in You;And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refugeUntil destruction passes by.

New American Standard Bible (1995)

For the choir director; set to Al-tashheth. A Mikhtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.

Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, For my soul takes refuge in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge Until destruction passes by.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Be mercifull vnto me O Lorde, be mercifull vnto me: for my soule trusteth in thee, and vnder the shadowe of thy wynges wyll I trust, vntyll this tiranny be ouerpast.

Darby Translation

To the chief Musician. 'Destroy not.' Of David. Michtam; when he fled from Saul in the cave.

Be gracious unto me, O God, be gracious unto me; for my soul taketh refuge in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings do I take refuge, until the calamities be overpast.

New King James Version
To the Chief Musician. Set to 'Do Not Destroy.' [fn] A Michtam of David when he fled from Saul into the cave. Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!For my soul trusts in You;And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,Until these calamities have passed by.

Literal Translation
To the chief musician. Do not destroy. A secret treasure of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for my soul trusts in You; yea, in the shadowof Your wings I will make my hiding place,until the great destruction passes by.

Easy-to-Read Version

To the director: To the tune "Don't Destroy." A miktam of David written when he escaped from Saul and went into the cave.

God, be merciful to me. Be kind because my soul trusts in you. I have come to you for protection, while the trouble passes.

World English Bible
<> Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me, For my soul takes refuge in you. Yes, in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, Until disaster has passed.

King James Version (1611)
[To the chiefe musician Al-taschith, Michtam of Dauid, when hee fled from Saul in the caue.] Be mercifull vnto mee, O God, be merciful vnto me, for my soule trusteth in thee: yea in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, vntill these calamities bee ouerpast.

King James Version
Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Be mercifull vnto me (o God) be mercifull vnto me, for my soule trusteth in ye: & vnder the shadowe of thy wynges shalbe my refuge, vntill wickednesse be ouerpast.

THE MESSAGE
A David Psalm, When He Hid in a Cave from Saul Be good to me, God—and now! I've run to you for dear life. I'm hiding out under your wings until the hurricane blows over. I call out to High God, the God who holds me together. He sends orders from heaven and saves me, he humiliates those who kick me around. God delivers generous love, he makes good on his word.

Amplified Bible
Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious and merciful to me, For my soul finds shelter and safety in You, And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge and be confidently secure Until destruction passes by.

American Standard Version

For the Chief Musician; set to Al-tashheth. A Psalm of David. Michtam; when he fled from Saul, in the cave.

Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me; For my soul taketh refuge in thee: Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I take refuge, Until these calamities be overpast.

Bible in Basic English
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me; for the hope of my soul is in you: I will keep myself safely under the shade of your wings, till these troubles are past.

Update Bible Version
For the Chief Musician; [set to] Al-tash-heth. [A Psalm] of David. Michtam; when he fled from Saul, in the cave. Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me; For my soul takes refuge in you: Yes, in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, Until [these] calamities have passed by.

Webster's Bible Translation
To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yes, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until [these] calamities are overpast.

New English Translation

For the music director; according to the al-tashcheth style; a prayer of David, written when he fled from Saul into the cave.

Have mercy on me, O God! Have mercy on me! For in you I have taken shelter. In the shadow of your wings I take shelter until trouble passes.

Contemporary English Version

(For the music leader. To the tune "Don't Destroy." A special psalm by David when he was in the cave while running from Saul.)

God Most High, have pity on me! Have mercy. I run to you for safety. In the shadow of your wings, I seek protection till danger dies down.

Complete Jewish Bible
For the leader. Set to "Do Not Destroy." By David, a mikhtam, when he fled from Sha'ul into the cave:

Geneva Bible (1587)
To him that excelleth. Destroy not. A Psalme of Dauid on Michtam. When he fled from Saul in the caue. Haue mercie vpon me, O God, haue mercie vpon me: for my soule trusteth in thee, and in the shadowe of thy wings wil I trust, till these afflictions ouerpasse.

George Lamsa Translation
BE merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me; for my soul trusts in thee; yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge until these calamities be overpast.

Hebrew Names Version
<> Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me, For my soul takes refuge in you. Yes, in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, Until disaster has passed.

JPS Old Testament (1917)
For the Leader; Al-tashheth. [A Psalm] of David; Michtam; when he fled from Saul, in the cave.

New Life Bible
Show me loving-kindness, O God, show me loving-kindness. For my soul goes to You to be safe. And I will be safe in the shadow of Your wings until the trouble has passed.

Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Have mercy, upon me, O God, have mercy upon me: for my soul has trusted in thee: and in the shadow of thy wings will I hope, until the iniquity have passed away.

English Revised Version
For the Chief Musician; set to Al-tashheth. A Psalm of David: Michtam: when he fled from Saul, in the cave. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me; for my soul taketh refuge in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I take refuge, until these calamities be overpast.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

New Revised Standard

To the leader: Do Not Destroy. Of David. A Miktam, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, until the destroying storms pass by.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Show me favour, O God, Show me favour, For, in thee, hath my soul sought refuge, - And, in the shadow of thy wings, will I seek refuge, Until the storm of ruin pass by.

Douay-Rheims Bible
(56-1) <Unto the end, destroy not, for David, for an inscription of a title, when he fled from Saul into the cave.> (56-2) Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me: for my soul trusteth in thee. And in the shadow of thy wings will I hope, until iniquity pass away.

Lexham English Bible

For the music director, according to Do Not Destroy.

Of David. A miktam.

When he fled from Saul into the cave.

Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, because in you my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of your wings I will take refuge until destruction passes by.

English Standard Version

To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.

New American Standard Bible
Be gracious to me, God, be gracious to me, For my soul takes refuge in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge Until destruction passes by.

New Century Version

For the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." A miktam of David when he escaped from Saul in the cave.

Be merciful to me, God; be merciful to me because I come to you for protection. Let me hide under the shadow of your wings until the trouble has passed.

Good News Translation
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful, because I come to you for safety. In the shadow of your wings I find protection until the raging storms are over.

Christian Standard Bible®

For the choir director: "Do Not Destroy." A Davidic Miktam. When he fled before Saul into the cave.

Be gracious to me, God, be gracious to me, for I take refuge in You. I will seek refuge in the shadow of Your wings until danger passes.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
The title of the sixte and fiftithe salm. `In Ebreu thus, To the victorie, lese thou not the semeli song, `ether the `swete song of Dauid, `whanne he fledde fro the face of Saul in to the denne. `In Jeroms translacioun thus, For victorie, that thou lese not Dauid, meke and simple, whanne he fledde fro the face of Saul in to the denne. God, haue thou merci on me, haue thou merci on me; for my soule tristith in thee. And Y schal hope in the schadewe of thi wyngis; til wickidnesse passe.

Young's Literal Translation
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.

Revised Standard Version
To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave. Be merdiful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in thee my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of thy wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.

Contextual Overview

¹

For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time he fled from Saul and went into the cave. To be sung to the tune "Do Not Destroy!"

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by. ² I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me. ³ He will send help from heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hound me. Interlude My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness. ⁴ I am surrounded by fierce lions who greedily devour human prey— whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords. ⁵ Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens! May your glory shine over all the earth. ⁶ My enemies have set a trap for me. I am weary from distress. They have dug a deep pit in my path, but they themselves have fallen into it. Interlude

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

when: Psalms 142:1, *title 1 Samuel 22:1, 1 Samuel 24:3, 1 Samuel 24:8

be: Psalms 56:1, Psalms 69:13-16, Psalms 119:76, Psalms 119:77

soul: Psalms 9:10, Psalms 13:5, Psalms 125:1, Isaiah 50:10

shadow: Psalms 17:7, Psalms 17:8, Psalms 36:7, Psalms 61:4, Psalms 63:7, Psalms 91:1, Psalms 91:4, Psalms 91:9, Ruth 2:12, Luke 13:34

until: Isaiah 10:25, Isaiah 26:20, Matthew 24:22, John 16:20, James 5:10, James 5:11, Revelation 7:14, Revelation 21:4

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 22:4 - so Psalms 4:1 - have mercy upon me Psalms 27:5 - hide Psalms 41:10 - be merciful Psalms 86:3 - Be merciful Psalms 102:1 - Hear Psalms 109:26 - save me Psalms 123:3 - Have mercy Proverbs 27:12 - General Ecclesiastes 7:12 - a defence Song of Solomon 2:3 - I sat Isaiah 18:1 - shadowing Jeremiah 11:20 - revealed Jeremiah 36:26 - but Zephaniah 2:3 - hid Matthew 23:37 - even

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Be merciful unto me, O God,.... Or "be gracious to me" k; which words are repeated by him. "Be merciful", or "gracious, unto me"; to show the greatness of his distress, the eagerness, vehemency, and importunity he used in prayer; his case requiring a speedy answer, and immediate relief; and that he expected only from the mercy and grace of God; :-;

for my soul trusteth in thee; or "in thy word"; as the Targum; and in thee only, both as the God of providence and the God of grace; and a great act of faith this was to trust in the Lord in such circumstances; and it was not a bare profession of trust, but it was hearty and sincere; his "soul" trusted in the Lord; he trusted in him with all his heart and soul, and trusted him with his soul or life: and this he makes a reason or argument for mercy; seeing, as the mercy of the Lord is an encouragement to faith and hope; so the Lord has declared, that he takes pleasure in those that hope and trust in it; wherefore mercy may be expected by such;

yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge; or "I will hope" l; the meaning is, that he would betake himself to the power and protection of God, and make him his refuge from the enemy: the allusion is either to the hen, or any other bird covering its young with its wings, when a bird of prey is near, till that is gone; or to the cherubim, whose wings overshadowed the mercy seat, between which the glory of God dwelt; and so the Targum,

"in the shadow of thy Shechinah, or glorious Majesty, will I trust;''

which agrees with his applying to the mercy seat, or to God on a throne of grace and mercy: and here he determines to abide,

until [these] calamities be overpast; the storm of them was over, which was very black and threatening. The Targum is,

"until the tumult is over;''

and so the Syriac version; until Saul and his men were gone, of whom he was afraid. The Septuagint version, and those that follow it, render the words "until sin passeth away"; the cause of these troubles; unless sin is put for sinful men; and so the sense is as before; see

Isaiah 26:20.

k חנני "gratiam fac mihi", Junius Tremellius, Cocceius so Piscator, Ainsworth. l אחסה "sperabo", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus; "spero", Tigurine version, Musculus, Michaelis.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Be merciful unto me, O God - The same beginning as the former psalm - a cry for mercy; an overwhelming sense of trouble and danger leading him to come at once to the throne of God for help. See the notes at Psalms 56:1.

For my soul trusteth in thee - See the notes at Psalms 56:3. He had nowhere else to go; there was no one on whom he could rely but God.

Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge - Under the protection or covering of his wings - as young birds seek protection under the wings of the parent bird. See the notes at Psalms 17:8. Compare Psalms 36:7.

Until these calamities be overpast - Compare Job 14:13, note; Psalms 27:13, note; also at Isaiah 26:20, note. He believed that these calamities “would” pass away, or would cease; that a time would come when he would not thus be driven from place to place. At present he knew that he was in danger, and he desired the divine protection, for under “that” protection he would be safe.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

PSALM LVII

David cries to God for mercy, with the strongest confidence of

being heard, 1-3;

he describes his enemies as lions, 4;

thanks God for his deliverance, 5;

and purposes to publish the praises of the Lord among his

people, 6-11.

NOTES ON PSALM LVII

The title is, To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, (destroy not,) a golden Psalm of David, (or one to be engraven,) where he fed from Saul in the cave. It is very likely that this Psalm was made to commemorate his escape from Saul in the cave of En-gedi, where Saul had entered without knowing that David was there, and David cut off the skirt of his garment. And it is not improbable that, when he found that Saul was providentially delivered into his hand, he might have formed the hasty resolution to take away his life, as his companions counselled him to do; and in that moment the Divine monition came, אל תשצת al tascheth! Destroy not! lift not up thy hand against the Lord's anointed! Instead, therefore, of taking away his life, he contented himself with taking away his skirt, to show him that he had been in his power. When, afterwards, he composed the Psalm, he gave it for title the words which he received as a Divine warning. See the history 1 Samuel 24:1-22. See also my note upon the fourth verse of that chapter. 1 Samuel 24:4.

Verse Psalms 57:1. Be merciful unto me — To show David's deep earnestness, he repeats this twice; he was in great danger, surrounded by implacable enemies, and he knew that God alone could deliver him.

My soul trusteth in thee — I put my life into thy hand; and my immortal spirit knows no other portion than thyself.

In the shadow of thy wings — A metaphor taken from the brood of a hen taking shelter under her wings when they see a bird of prey; and there they continue to hide themselves till their enemy disappears. In a storm, or tempest of rain, the mother covers them with her wings to afford them shelter and defence. This the psalmist has particularly in view, as the following words show: "Until these calamities be overpast."