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.
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. |
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.
