Psalm 57

Psalm 57 is the second in the sequence of five mikhtams. We earlier read it along with the account mentioned in the superscription--when David "fled from Saul into the cave." Actually, David hid in a cave on two occasions we know of--once in Adullam (1 Samuel 22:1-5), the setting of Psalm 142, and once in the oasis of En Gedi (1 Samuel 24:1-7), which is evidently the setting of this psalm. In En Gedi, David in a miraculous circumstance spared Saul when he could easily have killed him and was afterward blessed with a period of respite. This was in answer to David's prayer recorded here (see the Beyond Today Bible Commentary on Psalm 57; 1 Samuel 24).

David cries out for mercy, trusting God will save him (Psalm 57:1-3). The imagery in verse 1 of finding refuge under God's wings as a young bird finds protection under the wings of its mother is also found elsewhere in Psalms (Psalm 17:8; Psalm 36:7; Psalm 61:4; Psalm 63:7; Psalm 91:4).

As David fervently prays for help, he is not yet out of peril from those who seek to harm him (verses 4, 6). But he sees a new day dawning (verse 8). Note the repeated refrain of praise (verses 5, 11). And indeed, God would soon rescue him, as 1 Samuel 24 shows.

The end of Psalm 57 (verses 7-11), with its exuberant expression of joy and praise, is used in Book V of the Psalter as the beginning of Psalm 108 (verses 1-5), while the end of Psalm 108 is taken from Psalm 60, the last of the sequence of miktams here.