Lectionary Calendar
Tuesday, March 19th, 2024
the Fifth Week of Lent
There are 12 days til Easter!
Attention!
StudyLight.org has pledged to help build churches in Uganda. Help us with that pledge and support pastors in the heart of Africa.
Click here to join the effort!

Bible Commentaries
Psalms 57

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole BibleCommentary Critical

Introduction

PSALM 57

:-. Altaschith—or, "Destroy not." This is perhaps an enigmatical allusion to the critical circumstances connected with the history, for which compare 1 Samuel 22:1; 1 Samuel 26:1-3. In Moses' prayer (Deuteronomy 9:26) it is a prominent petition deprecating God's anger against the people. This explanation suits the fifty-eighth and fifty-ninth also. Asaph uses it for the seventy-fifth, in the scope of which there is allusion to some emergency. Michtam—(See on Deuteronomy 9:26- :, title). To an earnest cry for divine aid, the Psalmist adds, as often, the language of praise, in the assured hope of a favorable hearing.

Verse 1

1. my soul—or self, or life, which is threatened.

shadow of thy wings— (Psalms 17:8; Psalms 36:7).

calamities—literally, "mischiefs" (Psalms 52:2; Psalms 55:10).

Verse 2

2. performeth—or, completes what He has begun.

Verse 3

3. from . . . swallow me up—that pants in rage after me (Psalms 56:2).

mercy and . . . truth— (Psalms 25:10; Psalms 36:5), as messengers (Psalms 43:3) sent to deliver him.

Verse 4

4. The mingled figures of wild beasts (Psalms 10:9; Psalms 17:12) and weapons of war (Psalms 11:2) heighten the picture of danger.

whose . . . tongue—or slanders.

Verse 5

5. This doxology illustrates his view of the connection of his deliverance with God's glory.

Verse 6

6. (Compare Psalms 7:15; Psalms 9:15; Psalms 9:16).

Verse 7

7. I will . . . praise—both with voice and instrument.

Verse 8

8. Hence—he addresses his glory, or tongue (Psalms 16:9; Psalms 30:12), and his psaltery, or lute, and harp.

I myself . . . early—literally, "I will awaken dawn," poetically expressing his zeal and diligence.

Verse 9

9, 10. As His mercy and truth, so shall His praise, fill the universe.

Bibliographical Information
Jamieson, Robert, D.D.; Fausset, A. R.; Brown, David. "Commentary on Psalms 57". "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible". https://studylight.org/commentaries/eng/jfb/psalms-57.html. 1871-8.
adsFree icon
Ads FreeProfile