← Back to Psalms

Psalms 57

11 verses

TL;DR

Psalm 57 is a lament that transitions into confident praise, as the psalmist seeks God’s mercy amid peril and then celebrates deliverance and divine glory.

Summary

The psalm opens with a heartfelt appeal for mercy as the psalmist’s soul trusts in God’s protection, envisioning refuge in the shadow of His wings (verses 1‑3). He acknowledges danger, describing enemies as fierce lions and weapons of men (verse 4), yet maintains faith that God will send help and mercy. The psalm shifts to a portrayal of the psalmist’s downfall—traps and pits set for him—yet he remains steadfast, expressing determination to sing and praise (verses 6‑8). In the final section, the psalmist vows to glorify God publicly among people and nations, acknowledging the vastness of God’s mercy and truth (verses 9‑11). The concluding refrain repeats the call for God’s exaltation above all. The overall tone moves from desperate petition to triumphant worship.

Outline
  1. 1‑3: Lament and trust in God’s mercy
  2. 6‑8: Danger and steadfast praise
  3. 9‑11: Public worship and exaltation
Themes
trust in God’s mercyhuman peril versus divine deliverancepublic worship and exaltation
Keywords
mercytrustdeliverancewingsnetpitpsalteryharpheavensglory
People
God
Places
Things
shadow of wingsnetpitpsalteryharpheavensclouds
Key Verses
  • Psalm 57:3: Expresses God’s active rescue and mercy
  • Psalm 57:6: Illustrates human vulnerability and divine judgment of oppressors
  • Psalm 57:11: Closes with the repeated call to exalt God, emphasizing worship
Questions
  • What does the image of the ‘shadow of wings’ suggest about the psalmist’s view of God’s protection?
  • How does the psalmist’s transition from lament to praise reflect the structure of ancient Hebrew psalms?
  • In what way does the repetition of ‘exalt above all the earth’ serve the psalm’s overall message?
  • How might the imagery of a net and pit be understood in the historical context of the psalm’s authorship?
  • What is the significance of praising God ‘among the nations’ in this psalm?
Sentiment

positive
Although the psalm starts with a plea for mercy, it concludes with confident praise and exaltation of God’s glory.