Psalms 57 Praise Amid Peril

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 ps 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 — (Ps 17:8; 36:7). calamities — literally, "mischiefs" (Ps 52:2; 55:10).

2

performeth — or, completes what He has begun.

3

from... swallow me up — that pants in rage after me (Ps 56:2). mercy and... truth — (Ps 25:10; 36:5), as messengers (Ps 43:3) sent to deliver him.

4

The mingled figures of wild beasts (Ps 10:9; 17:12) and weapons of war (Ps 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 Ps 7:15; 9:15, 16).

7

I will... praise — both with voice and instrument.

8

Hence — he addresses his glory, or tongue (Ps 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.