1 [Psalm 57] Each of the two equal strophes contains a prayer for rescue from enemies, accompanied by joyful trust in God (Psalm 57:2-5, 7-11). The refrain prays that God be manifested as saving (Psalm 57:6, 11[12]). Psalm 108 is nearly identical to part of this psalm (Psalm 57:8-11 = Psalm 108:2-6).
2 [1] Do not destroy: probably the title of the melody to which the psalm was to be sung.
3 [2] The shadow of your wings: probably refers to the wings of the cherubim (powerful winged animals) whose wings spread over the ark in the inner chamber of the temple (1 Kings 6:23-28).
4 [9] I will wake the dawn: by a bold figure the psalmist imagines the sound of music and singing will waken a new day.
1 [Psalm 58] A lament expressing trust in God's power to dethrone all powers obstructing divine rule of the world. First condemned are "the gods," the powers that were popularly imagined to control human destinies (Psalm 58:2-3), then "the wicked," the human instruments of these forces (Psalm 58:4-6). The psalmist prays God to prevent them from harming the just (Psalm 58:7-10). The manifestation of justice will gladden the just; they will see that their God is with them (Psalm 58:11). The psalm is less concerned with personal vengeance than with public vindication of God's justice now.
2 [1] Do not destroy: probably the title of the melody to which the psalm was to be sung.
3 [2] Gods: the Bible sometimes understands pagan gods to be lesser divine beings who are assigned by Israel's God to rule the foreign nations. Here they are accused of injustice, permitting the human judges under their patronage to abuse the righteous. Cf Psalm 82.
4 [5-6] The image is that of a poisonous snake that is controlled by the voice or piping of its trainer.
5 [9] A snail that oozes away: empty shells suggested to ancients that snails melted away as they left a slimy trail.
Eripe me. A prayer to be delivered from the wicked, with confidence in God's help and protection. It agrees to Christ and his enemies the Jews.
[1] Unto the end, destroy not, for David for an inscription of It title, when Saul sent and watched his house to kill him. [2] Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; and defend me from them that rise up against me. [3] Deliver me from them that work iniquity, and save me from bloody men. [4] For behold they have caught my soul: the mighty have rushed in upon me: [5] Neither is it my iniquity, nor my sin, O Lord: without iniquity have I run, and directed my steps.
[6] Rise up thou to meet me, and behold: even thou, O Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel. Attend to visit all the nations: have no mercy on all them that work iniquity. [7] They shall return at evening, and shall suffer hunger like dogs: and shall go round about the city. [8] Behold they shall speak with their mouth, and a sword is in their lips: for who, say they, hath heard us? [9] But thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them: thou shalt bring all the nations to nothing. [10] I will keep my strength to thee: for thou art my protector:
[11] My God, his mercy shall prevent me. [12] God shall let me see over my enemies: slay them not, lest at any time my people forget. Scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord, my protector: [13] For the sin of their mouth, and the word of their lips: and let them be taken in their pride. And for their cursing and lying they shall be talked of, [14] When they are consumed: when they are consumed by thy wrath, and they shall be no more. And they shall know that God will rule Jacob, and all the ends of the earth. [15] They shall return at evening and shall suffer hunger like dogs: and shall go round about the city.
[16] They shall be scattered abroad to eat, and shall murmur if they be not filled. [17] But I will sing thy strength: and will extol thy mercy in the morning. For thou art become my support, and my refuge, in the day of my trouble. [18] Unto thee, O my helper, will I sing, for thou art God my defence: my God my mercy.