For the music director; according to the al-tashcheth style; a prayer of David, written when he fled from Saul into the cave. 

 

David wrote this song for the choir director of the Levites. It was written to the tune of the “al‑tashcheth style,” which was a popular tune of the day. David wrote this song when he was hiding in caves from King Saul. 

 

57:1 Have mercy on me, O God! Have mercy on me! For in you I have taken shelter. In the shadow of your wings I take shelter until trouble passes. 

 

David prayed and asked God to have mercy on him. David was like a baby bird who was hiding in God’s feathers.

 

57:2 I cry out for help to the sovereign God, to the God who vindicates me. 

 

David cried out to God for help.

 

57:3 May he send help from heaven and deliver me from my enemies who hurl insults! (Selah) May God send his loyal love and faithfulness! 

 

David asked God to send supernatural help from heaven to deliver him from his enemies. David asked the congregation to meditate and think deeply about this Bible doctrine.

 

David asked God to protect him with His loyal love. When David was a teenager, God promised David that he would one day be the anointed King of Israel. Therefore, David was immortal until this prophecy was fulfilled.

 

57:4 I am surrounded by lions; I lie down among those who want to devour me; men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are a sharp sword. 

 

David compared Saul’s soldiers to lions who wished to devour him.

 

57:5 Rise up above the sky, O God! May your splendor cover the whole earth! 

 

David asked God to rise up above the sky and show his Shechinah Glory to the world. This event will happen at the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, when “every eye will see him.” As a young man, David had received advanced eschatological theology.

 

57:6 They have prepared a net to trap me; I am discouraged. They have dug a pit for me. They will fall into it! (Selah) 

 

Saul’s soldiers set up many nets and pits to trap David; however, David’s own men would fall into them. David asked the congregation to meditate and think about this Biblical doctrine.

 

57:7 I am determined, O God! I am determined! I will sing and praise you! 

 

David is determined that after God delivers him, David will praise Jehovah.

 

57:8 Awake, my soul! Awake, O stringed instrument and harp! I will wake up at dawn! 

 

David asked his soul to wake up at dawn and sing praises to Jehovah with stringed instruments.

 

57:9 I will give you thanks before the nations, O Master! I will sing praises to you before foreigners! 

 

After David is delivered, then he will sing praises to Jehovah before foreigners. This event will not only happen in David’s physical life, but it will happen during the Millennial Kingdom as well.

 

57:10 For your loyal love extends beyond the sky, and your faithfulness reaches the clouds. 

 

Jehovah will keep His promises to David. 

 

57:11 Rise up above the sky, O God! May your splendor cover the whole earth! 

 

David once again asked God to rise up above the clouds and show the Shechinah Glory to the entire earth.