Psalm 57

Scroll of the Psalms

Psalm 57 is the 57th psalm of the Book of Psalms, in the Bible.

Structure

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

Authorship

The Psalm is attributed as a Michtam of David,^{[2] [3]} when he fled from the face of Saul,^{[4] [5]} in the cave.^{[6] [7]} It was addressed to a leader of Worship.

Possibly this psalm was sung to a melody known as “Do Not Destroy” although there is considerable uncertainty about this. A number of translations have chosen to transliterate the Hebrew expression—“al tashheth” (Tanakh) and “Al-tashheth” (Margolis).^[8]

Uses

Judaism

• Verse 3 is found in the repetition of the Amidah on Rosh Hashanah.^[9]

References

1. Calvin's Commentaries, Vol. 9: Psalms, Part II], tr. by John King, [1847-50], at sacred-texts.com.
2. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, Psalm 57.
3. Gordon Churchyard, Psalm 57 Notes on Psalm 57.
4. Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David.
5. Psalm 57 Overview.
6. 1 Samuel 22
7. 1 Samuel 24.
8. Psalm 57 at Werner Bible Commentary.
9. The Complete Artscroll Machzor for Rosh Hashanah page 321