1.
Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.
Title. Michtam = Resurgam. One of the six Psalms so called. See App-65 .
when, &c. Compare 1 Samuel 22:1 .
the cave. Probably at En-gedi (1 Samuel 24:7 , 1 Samuel 24:8 ), where David probably used the words "Al-taschith". See the sub-scription.
Be merciful = Be gracious, or favourable. Compare Psalms 56:1 .
God. Hebrew. Elohim.
be merciful. Figure of speech Epizeuxis , for emphasis.
soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .
trusteth in = hath fled for refuge to. Hebrew. hasah. App-69 . Same word as "make my refuge" in next line.
Thy wings. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.
Until, &c.: or, Until one shall have overpast these calamities.
2.
I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.
MOST HIGH. See note on Psalms 56:2 .
GOD. Hebrew El. App-4 .
performeth = bringeth to pass, and perfecteth, or completeth.
all things. Figure of speech Ellipsis (Absolute). Nothing particularized, that we may supply everything. To name one thing might seem to exclude all others. Compare Psalms 138:8 .
for me = on my behalf.
3.
He shall send from heaven, and save from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.
swallow me up. See note on Psalms 56:1 .
Selah. Connecting and emphasizing by repetition David's confidence (that God would assuredly send deliverance), with and because of His lovingkindness and truth. See App-66 .
mercy = lovingkindness, or grace. Note the Structure "-3. "and "10", above.
4.
My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
men. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .
5.
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.
Be Thou exalted. See the Structure. Figure of speech Cycloides. App-6 . See Psalms 57:11 . Compare similar Cycloides in Psalms 56:4 , Psalms 56:11 .
6.
They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.
They have digged, &c. Compare Psalms 7:15 .
Selah. Connecting the bitterness of his enemies with his assured confidence in God. ( App-66 .)
7.
My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.
My heart. my heart. Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( App-6 ), as in Psalms 57:1 . (See the Structure, above; also the Figure of speech Ecphonesis. )
fixed = steadfast. Contrast Psalms 78:37 .
8.
Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
Awake. Figure of speech Poeanismos . App-6 .
glory. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), put for the tongue or the heart which gives the glory.
will awake early = will awake the dawn.
9.
I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.
LORD *. One of the 134 places where the Sopherim altered Jehovah, of the primitive text, to Adonai. See App-32 .
people = peoples.
sing = sing praise.
10.
For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.
mercy . . . truth. See note on Psalms 57:3 .
clouds = skies.
11.
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.
To the chief Musician. See App-64 .
Al-taschith = Destroy not. See notes on Title, and Psalms 56:13 ; also App-65 .