Jamieson, Fausset and Brown on Psalms 57

PSALM 57

Psa 57:1-11. Altaschith--or, "Destroy not." This is perhaps an enigmatical allusion to the critical circumstances connected with the history, for which compare 1Sa 22:1; 26:1-3. In Moses' prayer (De 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 Psa 16:1, 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.

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

shadow of thy wings--(Psa 17:8; 36:7).

calamities--literally, "mischiefs" (Psa 52:2; 55:10).

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

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

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

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

whose ... tongue--or slanders.

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

6. (Compare Psa 7:15; 9:15, 16).

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

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

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

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