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To the Director: A special Davidic psalm[a] to the tune of[b] “Do Not Destroy,” when he fled from Saul into a cave.

A Prayer for Deliverance

57 Have mercy on me, God, have mercy,
    for in you I[c] have placed my trust.
Even in the shadow of your wings
    will I find my refuge until this calamity passes.

I call upon the God Most High;
    to the God who completes what he began[d] in me.
He will send help from heaven to deliver me
    from those who harass and despise me.
Interlude
        God will send his gracious love and truth.

I am[e] surrounded by lions.
    I lie down with those who burn with fire—
that is, with people whose teeth are like spears and arrows—
    whose tongues are like sharp swords.

Be exalted above the heavens, God!
    May your glory cover the earth!

They have set a snare for my feet,
    which makes me[f] depressed.
They dug a pit in front of me,
    but they are the ones who fell into it!
Interlude

My heart is committed, God,
    my heart is committed,
        so I will sing and play music.
Wake up, my soul,[g]
    wake up, lyre and harp!
        I will awaken at dawn.
I will exalt you among the peoples, Lord.
    I will play music among the nations.
10 For your gracious love is great,
    extending even to the heavens,
        and your truth even to the skies.

11 Be exalted above the heavens, God!
    May your glory cover the earth!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 57:1 The Heb. reads miktam
  2. Psalm 57:1 Lit. David according to
  3. Psalm 57:1 Or my soul
  4. Psalm 57:2 The Heb. lacks what he began
  5. Psalm 57:4 Or My soul is
  6. Psalm 57:6 Lit. my soul
  7. Psalm 57:8 Lit. glory

Psalm 57[a](A)

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.[b] When he had fled from Saul into the cave.(B)

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
    for in you I take refuge.(C)
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings(D)
    until the disaster has passed.(E)

I cry out to God Most High,
    to God, who vindicates me.(F)
He sends from heaven and saves me,(G)
    rebuking those who hotly pursue me—[c](H)
    God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.(I)

I am in the midst of lions;(J)
    I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
    whose tongues are sharp swords.(K)

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
    let your glory be over all the earth.(L)

They spread a net for my feet(M)
    I was bowed down(N) in distress.
They dug a pit(O) in my path—
    but they have fallen into it themselves.(P)

My heart, O God, is steadfast,
    my heart is steadfast;(Q)
    I will sing and make music.
Awake, my soul!
    Awake, harp and lyre!(R)
    I will awaken the dawn.

I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
    I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches to the skies.(S)

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;(T)
    let your glory be over all the earth.(U)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 57:1 In Hebrew texts 57:1-11 is numbered 57:2-12.
  2. Psalm 57:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  3. Psalm 57:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 6.