Psalms 57
Old Testament · King James Version
Psalm 57 moves from urgent refuge under God’s wings to a steadfast song of praise: danger is real, but God’s steadfast love and faithfulness reach higher than the threat, and his glory becomes the psalm’s final horizon.
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.
I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.
He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.
My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.
They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.
My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.
Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.
For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.
Context
The superscription associates Psalm 57 with David in a cave. The prayer moves from urgent refuge and violent threat to a steadfast heart, public praise, and the repeated desire that God be exalted above the heavens.
Themes & application
- Refuge under God’s wings
- Help from heaven and divine faithfulness
- Danger described without denial
- God exalted above the threat
- A steadfast heart that chooses praise
- Praise among peoples and nations
Psalm 57 joins honest acknowledgment of danger with active trust: seek refuge in God without denying practical safety, and let remembered faithfulness move fear toward steadfast praise.
Key verses
The psalmist seeks mercy and refuge under God’s wings until the destructive storm passes.
Application: Bring danger honestly to God while also using appropriate practical protection.
Commonly misread: Refuge in God is not a command to remain in an unsafe situation or a promise of immunity from harm.
The repeated refrain asks that God’s glory, not the enemy’s power, define the horizon of the crisis.
Application: Refuse to let a threat become the largest reality in your moral and spiritual vision.
Commonly misread: The verse does not minimize real danger or forbid concrete safety measures.
The psalmist declares a steadfast heart and chooses to sing despite continuing pressure.
Application: Practice deliberate praise without pretending distress has disappeared.
Commonly misread: A steadfast heart is not emotional numbness or denial.
God’s steadfast love and faithfulness are pictured as reaching the heavens and clouds.
Application: Let the psalm’s vast imagery enlarge your sense of divine faithfulness beyond the immediate crisis.
Commonly misread: This praise is not a guarantee that every crisis ends immediately.
The closing refrain asks that God be exalted above the heavens and his glory over all the earth.
Application: End by re-centering attention on God’s glory rather than the aggressor’s apparent power.
Commonly misread: Divine glory does not authorize domination or violence by worshipers.
Common misreadings of Psalms 57
Misreading: Psalm 57 authorizes retaliation against enemies or promises physical immunity to those who trust God.
In context: The psalm entrusts reversal and vindication to God; refuge can accompany practical safety, and the text does not authorize revenge, vigilantism, harassment, or violence.
Cross-references
- Psalm 17:8 — Uses the protective image of refuge under God’s wings.
- Psalm 36:7 — Connects God’s steadfast love with refuge under his wings.
- Psalm 108:1–5 — Echoes Psalm 57’s steadfast-heart and exaltation language.
Frequently asked questions about Psalms 57
What does refuge under God’s wings mean?
Why does Psalm 57 repeat ‘Be exalted above the heavens’?
What does a steadfast heart mean in Psalm 57?
Sources & editorial notes
- Translation
- Commentary anchored in the public-domain Psalm 57 text used by the site (en).
- Authorship
- The superscription associates Psalm 57 with David and a cave setting; the commentary does not depend on identifying one episode with certainty.
- Editorial process
- Chapter-specific synthesis checked against Psalm 57’s movement from refuge in danger to steadfast praise and the repeated exaltation of God.
References
- Psalm 57 — Primary text and literary movement.
- Psalm 17:8; Psalm 36:7; Psalm 108:1–5 — Biblical parallels for refuge under God’s wings and the praise refrain.
Author: The Lord Will Editorial Team · Reviewed by: Ugo Candido · Updated: 2026-08-15