Psalm Chapter 57 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
Psalm 57 KJV
- 1 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.
- 2 I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.
- 3 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.
- 4 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.
The 57th Psalm continues below
Psalms Chapter 57 Continued (Old Testament, King James Bible)
- 5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.
- 6 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.
- 7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.
- 8 Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
- 9 I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.
- 10 For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.
- 11 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 57:1
Verse: חָסֵה בְּצֵל כְּנָפֶיךָ
Transliteration: Chaseh b’tzel k’nafekha
English: “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.”
Focus Word: חָסָה (Chasah)
- Root: ח-ס-ה (Chet-Samech-Heh)
- Meaning: “To take refuge,” “to trust,” “to seek shelter.”
- Deeper Insight: Chasah conveys intimate reliance on God’s protection, emphasizing trust and dependence in danger.
| Hebrew Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| חָנֵּנִי — channeni | Verse 1 — “Be merciful to me, O God…” | “Be gracious,” show mercy. | Channeni (“be gracious”) expresses urgent plea for divine favor (“gracious”). It reflects desperation during persecution. The word opens the Psalm with humble dependence. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| חָסָה — chasah | Verse 1 — “…in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge…” | “To take refuge,” seek shelter. | Chasah (“to take refuge”) conveys trust in divine protection (“refuge”). It symbolizes closeness under God’s care. The term strengthens the Psalm’s sanctuary imagery. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary |
| הַוָּה — havvah | Verse 1 — “…until these calamities have passed by.” | “Calamity,” ruin. | Havvah (“calamity”) portrays threatening danger (“calamity”). It emphasizes urgency in seeking refuge. The word sets the context of peril. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| קָרָא — qara | Verse 2 — “I will cry out to God Most High…” | “To call,” cry. | Qara (“to call”) represents earnest prayer (“cry out”). It conveys heartfelt trust in God’s intervention. The term underscores relational dependence. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
| גָּמַר — gamar | Verse 2 — “…who performs all things for me.” | “To complete,” accomplish. | Gamar (“to complete”) stresses divine fulfillment (“perform/complete”). It expresses confidence in God’s ongoing work. The word affirms sovereignty over events. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary |
| יַשְׁלַח — yashlach | Verse 3 — “He shall send from heaven…” | “To send,” dispatch. | Yashlach (“to send”) portrays divine intervention (“send”). It emphasizes active rescue from above. The term highlights God’s responsiveness. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| לָעַג — la’ag | Verse 4 — “…whose teeth are spears and arrows…” | “To mock,” deride. | La’ag (“to mock”) depicts hostile scorn (“mock”). It reveals internal cruelty of enemies. The word intensifies the Psalm’s portrayal of danger. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| רָמָה — ramah | Verse 5 — “Be exalted, O God…” | “To be high,” exalt. | Ramah (“to be exalted”) magnifies divine majesty (“exalted”). It shifts focus from danger to God’s supremacy. The term forms the Psalm’s refrain. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary |
| נָכוֹן — nachon | Verse 7 — “My heart is steadfast…” | “Firm,” established. | Nachon (“steadfast”) expresses unwavering trust (“firm/steadfast”). It indicates spiritual resolve in crisis. The word reveals inner stability from faith. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| עוֹרָה — urah | Verse 8 — “Awake, my glory…” | “Awake,” stir up. | Urah (“awake”) calls the soul to renewed praise (“awake”). It displays active determination to worship. The term concludes the Psalm with triumphant confidence. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
Biblical Scholar On This Chapter:
| Scholar (Institution & Dates) | Work | View on Psalm 57 |
|---|---|---|
| John Lightfoot (Jesus College, Cambridge, 1602–1675) | Commentarius Hebraicus in Psalmos | Lightfoot interprets the Psalm as a passionate plea for mercy, balancing distress with hope in God. |
| Matthew Poole (University of Oxford, 1624–1679) | Synopsis Criticorum | Observes that persistent prayer, even in peril, demonstrates the believer’s reliance on divine intervention. |
| Richard Baxter (University of Cambridge, 1615–1691) | Paraphrase and Notes on the Psalms | Highlights that courage arises from recognizing God as refuge and strength. |
| Matthew Henry (Christ Church, Oxford, 1662–1714) | Exposition of the Old and New Testament | Notes that the Psalm blends lamentation and praise, modeling faithful prayer amid trials. |
| Thomas Manton (Christ’s College, Cambridge, 1620–1677) | Exposition of the Psalms | Observes the Psalm urges the believer to remain steadfast in hope while awaiting deliverance. |
| Scholar & Work | View |
|---|---|
| John Calvin – Commentary on the Psalms | Calvin reads this psalm as David’s cry for mercy while hiding from Saul. God’s wings symbolize divine protection. Praise rises even before deliverance arrives. |
| Matthew Henry – Exposition on the Psalms | Henry interprets the psalm as blending danger and devotion. The believer hides under God’s wings until calamity passes. Confidence in God inspires praise. |
| Albert Barnes – Notes on the Psalms | Barnes emphasizes the psalmist’s danger among fierce enemies. God’s mercy is a shield. The psalm ends with bold praise. |
| John Morison – Practical Exposition of the Psalms | Morison sees the psalm as demonstrating calm trust in the midst of peril. God’s faithfulness steadies the heart. Praise anticipates rescue. |
| William Walford – Psalms Commentary | Walford reads the psalm as a mixture of urgency and confidence. The believer is safe under divine wings. God’s glory is exalted. |
| Andrew A. Bonar – Christ and His Church in the Psalms | Bonar interprets the psalm as depicting the Church sheltered under God’s mercy. Enemies snare themselves. Praise becomes prophetic. |
| Joseph Parker – People’s Bible Notes | Parker sees the psalmist as surrounded but unshaken. God’s steadfast love is his refuge. Praise rises from faith. |
| Thomas Dale – Exposition of the Psalms | Dale emphasizes the contrast between danger and trust. The psalmist’s heart is fixed on praise. God’s exaltation is the psalm’s theme. |
| Horatius Bonar – Meditations on the Psalms | Bonar views this as the pilgrim’s confidence in divine shelter. Trouble becomes an occasion for deeper praise. God’s glory shines through adversity. |
| Christopher Wordsworth – Commentary on the Psalms | Wordsworth sees the psalm as a sanctuary-song under persecution. God’s wings reflect His fatherly care. The psalmist exalts God above all nations. |
Prayer Inspired by The 57th Psalm
Prayer: Thank You Father for You are great and worthy to be praised, honored, and worshipped. Thank you God that my soul is safe with You for no one is greater than You and no one can snatch me out of Your hand. King of glory, I honor You and magnify You for You are a mighty Man of war. Thank You Lord Jesus for caring for me; Your mercy endures forever. Glorify Yourself in Your Church in Jesus' Name. Amen!
We hope you enjoyed Psalms Chapter 57 from the Old Testament of the King James Bible.
