Psalm 57

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This article is about Psalm 57 in Hebrew (Masoretic) numbering. For Psalm 57 in Greek Septuagint or Latin Vulgate numbering, see Psalm 58.
Psalm 57
Folio 157v - Psalm LVI.jpg
Psalm 57 in Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry, Folio 157v - Psalm LVI (Vulgate) the Musée Condé, Chantilly.
BookBook of Psalms
Hebrew Bible partKetuvim
Order in the Hebrew part1
CategorySifrei Emet
Christian Bible partOld Testament
Order in the Christian part19

Psalm 57 is the 57th psalm of the Book of Psalms, in the Bible. In the slightly different numbering system of the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible, and in the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 56. It is attributed to King David, and is described as a Michtam of David,[1][2] when he fled from the face of Saul,[3][4] in the cave, recalling either the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22), or the cave in the wilderness of En-gedi, on the western shore of the Dead Sea (1 Samuel 24).[5]

Structure[]

The psalm consists of two parts. In the first, verses 1–6, David gives expression to the anxiety which he felt, imploring Divine assistance against Saul and his other enemies. In the second part, verses 7–11, he proceeds upon the confident expectation of deliverance, and stirs up his soul to the exercise of praise.[6]

Melody[]

The psalm is addressed to a leader of worship; possibly this psalm was sung to a melody known as "Altaschith or "Do Not Destroy", although there is considerable uncertainty about this. A number of translations have chosen to transliterate the Hebrew expression as "al tashheth" (Tanakh) or "Al-tashheth" (Margolis).[7] The same directive, "Do Not Destroy", can be found in the headings of Psalm 58[8] and Psalm 59.[9]

Verse 6[]

They have prepared a net for my steps;
My soul is bowed down;
They have dug a pit before me;
Into the midst of it they themselves have fallen.[10]

Alexander Kirkpatrick suggests that the reference to David's enemies being caught in their own trap indicates an affinity with the cave of En-gedi mentioned in 1 Samuel 24:1–3.[5]

Uses[]

Judaism[]

Book of Common Prayer[]

In the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer, this psalm is appointed to be read on the morning of the 11th day of the month,[12] and it is a Proper Psalm for Easter Day.[5]

References[]

  1. ^ Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, Psalm 57.
  2. ^ Gordon Churchyard, Psalm 57 Notes on Psalm 57.
  3. ^ Spurgeon, C., The Treasury of David Archived 2014-11-08 at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ^ Psalm 57 Overview
  5. ^ a b c Kirkpatrick, A. (1906), Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges on Psalm 57, accessed 27 November 2021
  6. ^ Calvin's Commentaries, Vol. 9: Psalms, Part II, tr. by John King, [1847-50], at sacred-texts.com.
  7. ^ Psalm 57 at Werner Bible Commentary.
  8. ^ Psalm 58: New Revised Standard Version
  9. ^ Psalm 59: New Revised Standard Version
  10. ^ Psalm 57:6: New King James Version
  11. ^ The Complete Artscroll Machzor for Rosh Hashanah, page 321
  12. ^ Church of England, Book of Common Prayer: The Psalter as printed by John Baskerville in 1762, pp. 196ff

External links[]

  • Psalm 57 in Hebrew and English - Mechon-mamre
  • Psalm 57 King James Bible - Wikisource
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