Psalm 57 1

Psalm 57:1 kjv

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.

Psalm 57:1 nkjv

To the Chief Musician. Set to "Do Not Destroy." A Michtam of David when he fled from Saul into the cave. Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by.

Psalm 57:1 niv

For the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." Of David. A miktam. When he had fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.

Psalm 57:1 esv

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.

Psalm 57:1 nlt

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy!
I look to you for protection.
I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings
until the danger passes by.

Psalm 57 verses

Psalm 57 1 Meaning

Psalm 57:1 is a fervent plea from David for divine mercy and protection in a time of extreme distress. He cries out twice for mercy, expressing profound reliance on God as his sole refuge. David declares that his very soul finds shelter in God and he commits to continue taking refuge "in the shadow of God's wings" until the overwhelming "storms of destruction" have completely passed by. The verse combines desperate petition with a profound declaration of unwavering faith, rooted in God's protective nature amidst life-threatening calamity.

Psalm 57 1 Context

Psalm 57 is identified by its superscription as a "Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave." This situates the psalm in a desperate period of David's life, likely either in the Cave of Adullam (1 Sam 22:1-2) or the caves of En Gedi (1 Sam 24:1-3). In both instances, David was being hunted by King Saul, his life in immediate peril, surrounded by enemies and in need of divine intervention. The term "Al-taschith" (Do Not Destroy) in the superscription may be a musical instruction or an thematic appeal related to the content of the psalm, highlighting its core message of preservation despite threat. The immediate context of David hiding in a dark, confined space from a murderous pursuer profoundly shapes the fervent appeal for light, mercy, and encompassing protection from God.

Psalm 57 1 Word analysis

• Be merciful (חָנַנִּי, chanan-ni): A plea for grace and unmerited favor. The Hebrew root chanan signifies a bending down in kindness, compassion, or pity. Its repetition ("Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me") emphasizes the intensity and urgency of David's desperate plea, indicating profound distress and a profound need for God's immediate, saving intervention.
• O God (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): A common and foundational Hebrew name for God, emphasizing His general divine authority, power, and creatorship over all things. Here, David appeals to God's inherent divine nature as the One who is sovereign and able to act powerfully on his behalf.
• for in you (כִּי־בְךָ, ki-veKha): This conjunction ki means "for," "because," or "surely." It establishes the causal ground or basis for David's bold plea. His confidence, and thus his reason for crying out, is rooted solely in God, not in any personal merit or strength.
• my soul (נַפְשִׁי, nafshi): Refers to the totality of David's inner being, his very life, his consciousness, his person. It emphasizes that his entire essence, every part of him, is turning to God for refuge.
• takes refuge (חָסָיָה / חָסָה, chasah): To find shelter, trust in, or seek protection under. It denotes an act of fleeing to a safe haven and implies complete reliance and confidence in that refuge. This act of "taking refuge" is presented as David's established state.
• in the shadow of your wings (בְּצֵל כְּנָפֶיךָ, beTzel k'nafeykha): A powerful and tender poetic metaphor. "Shadow" (צֵל, tzel) suggests coolness, relief, and concealment. "Wings" (כְּנָפֶיךָ, k'nafeykha) evokes the image of a bird protecting its young beneath its widespread wings (Deut 32:11, Psa 91:4), signifying intimate, secure, and nurturing protection from danger.
• I will take refuge (אֶחְסֶה, echeseh): A future tense, signifying David's firm resolve and commitment to continue taking refuge in God. It highlights an ongoing and unwavering trust that transcends the present moment of crisis, extending his faith into the uncertain future.
• till the storms of destruction (עַד־עָבְרוּ הַוּוֹת, 'ad-'ovru hawwoth): "Till the passing by of desolations/calamities." Hawwoth (הַוּוֹת) refers to overwhelming calamities, ruins, or threats that seem bent on utter destruction. This phrase indicates that David anticipates the cessation of the trial, acknowledging its severity while also recognizing its temporary nature.
• pass by (יַעֲבֹר, ya'avor): Denotes movement past something, or the completion/cessation of an event. It signifies that the threatening "storms" will eventually recede or vanish, implying a divinely appointed limit to suffering and a coming end to the peril.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Be merciful to me... be merciful to me": This doubling of the petition is not mere repetition but an emphatic, urgent, and deeply personal cry. It underscores David's extreme vulnerability and profound reliance on God's undeserved grace alone as his only hope for survival and deliverance from his overwhelming perils.
• "for in you my soul takes refuge": This phrase immediately grounds David's plea for mercy in an active statement of faith and dependency. He is not asking for mercy because he deserves it, but because he has placed his entire trust and being in God. This connection establishes God as his established, certain, and sole sanctuary.
• "in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge": This reiterates and deepens the concept of refuge with vivid, tender imagery. The "shadow of wings" signifies complete, intimate, and comforting divine protection, akin to a mother bird guarding her young. The "I will" pledges David's continuous, unwavering reliance on God throughout the entire ordeal, emphasizing a future, committed trust despite the present, ongoing threat.
• "till the storms of destruction pass by": This phrase acknowledges the present intensity of his troubles (the "storms of destruction") but simultaneously expresses his steadfast hope for their definite end. It defines the temporal boundary of his intense trial, expressing confidence that God's protection will endure and the calamity will not last indefinitely; it highlights both endurance and assured expectation of deliverance.

Psalm 57 1 Bonus section

The Hebrew word "Hawwoth" (הַוּוֹת), translated as "destruction" or "calamities" here, also carries connotations of "prowlers" or "rushing calamity," depicting a destructive, aggressive force. This choice of word powerfully conveys the life-threatening, pursuing nature of David's enemies, who were like devouring beasts or overwhelming floods seeking his ruin. Thus, the imagery is not merely of passive danger, but of an active, consuming threat, against which God's wings provide the ultimate, impenetrable shield. The "Michtam" genre of this psalm, translated as "golden psalm" or "engraved writing," might suggest that this psalm was treasured by David, perhaps as a personal prayer "engraved" on his heart during his trials, or even as an inscription worn for protection. It emphasizes the profound value and protective quality of this specific prayer for future generations as well.

Psalm 57 1 Commentary

Psalm 57:1 opens with David's heart in deep distress, reflected in the passionate double plea for mercy. This is not a cry for a second chance, but for the unwavering, life-preserving favor of God. His rationale, "for in you my soul takes refuge," immediately shifts from desperate petition to profound declaration of faith. David grounds his request not in his worthiness, but in his utter reliance upon God, making the divine character, rather than human merit, the basis of his hope. The powerful imagery of taking refuge "in the shadow of your wings" speaks of God's intimate, protective, and compassionate care, like a parent shielding a child. It reassures the supplicant of a hidden, safe place amidst life's gravest threats. This trust is not fleeting; "I will take refuge" signifies an enduring commitment to depend on God. Crucially, David's faith anticipates not just immediate rescue, but perseveres "till the storms of destruction pass by." He acknowledges the overwhelming nature of his present calamity ("storms of destruction"), yet affirms their temporary duration under God's sovereign control. This verse exemplifies a true heart of faith: boldly calling upon God in desperate circumstances, firmly anchoring hope in God's nature, seeking comprehensive protection, and faithfully enduring until deliverance comes.

• Practical Usage Example: When facing overwhelming challenges, whether physical illness or professional distress, instead of despairing, one can repeatedly declare God's mercy and consciously commit to finding shelter under His protection, knowing that even the direst "storms" are temporary.