Psalm 57:2 kjv
I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.
Psalm 57:2 nkjv
I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me.
Psalm 57:2 niv
I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me.
Psalm 57:2 esv
I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
Psalm 57:2 nlt
I cry out to God Most High,
to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.
Psalm 57 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 14:18-20 | ...Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine... he was priest of God Most High... "Blessed be Abram by God Most High..." | Introduces God as "Most High" (El Elyon) |
| Num 24:16 | ...He hears the words of God, And knows the knowledge of the Most High... | God as the "Most High" knows all. |
| Deut 32:8 | When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance... | God "Most High" as sovereign over nations. |
| Ps 3:4 | I cried to the Lord with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. | David's cry heard by God. |
| Ps 18:6 | In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried to my God; He heard my voice from His temple... | David crying out in distress. |
| Ps 34:6 | This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. | God hears the cries of the afflicted. |
| Ps 40:5 | Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered. | God's wondrous works and thoughts for us. |
| Ps 78:35 | Then they remembered that God was their rock, And the Most High God their Redeemer. | God "Most High" as Redeemer. |
| Ps 91:1-2 | He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty... "My refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." | Refuge in the "Most High" and trust in Him. |
| Ps 120:1 | In my distress I cried to the Lord, And He heard me. | Simple cry heard by the Lord. |
| Ps 138:8 | The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of Your hands. | God fulfilling His purpose, similar to Ps 57:2. |
| Prov 19:21 | Many are the plans in a man's heart, But it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. | God's purpose ultimately stands. |
| Isa 46:10 | Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure.’ | God's sovereign control and purpose fulfilled. |
| Jer 29:11 | For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. | God's benevolent plans for His people. |
| Lam 3:55-56 | I called on Your name, O Lord, From the depths of the pit. You heard my voice... | Cry from distress, heard by God. |
| Mic 4:5 | ...we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever. | Acknowledgment of God's authority. |
| Acts 7:48 | However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands... | Stephen referencing God as "Most High." |
| Acts 16:17 | This woman followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation." | Another NT reference to "Most High God." |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. | All things work for good according to God's purpose. |
| Phil 1:6 | And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. | God brings His good work to completion. |
| Phil 2:13 | For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. | God actively working in believers. |
Psalm 57 verses
Psalm 57 2 Meaning
Psalm 57:2 expresses David's urgent prayer and deep trust in God during a time of extreme distress. He appeals to God as the "Most High," acknowledging God's supreme power and authority over all circumstances. Furthermore, David declares his confident faith that this all-powerful God is actively and personally working to fulfill His divine plan and purpose for David's life, even amidst threatening dangers and seemingly impossible situations. It is a statement of confident reliance on God's unwavering faithfulness and sovereignty.
Psalm 57 2 Context
Psalm 57 is a "Miktam of David," specified to have been written "when he fled from Saul in the cave." This likely refers to the events in 1 Samuel 22:1 (Cave of Adullam) or 1 Samuel 24:1-10 (cave at En Gedi), where David was pursued relentlessly by King Saul and his forces. David was in a precarious and life-threatening situation, feeling abandoned and hunted down like prey, with enemies closing in. The psalm expresses the psalmist's extreme distress, fear, and feeling of being surrounded, while simultaneously demonstrating an unshakeable trust and confidence in God's divine protection and ultimate deliverance. The historical context paints a picture of isolation and immediate danger, which underscores the profound faith expressed in verse 2. It presents God as the supreme authority in the universe, an implicit challenge to any perceived human authority (like Saul) or false deities who might claim power over human destiny.
Psalm 57 2 Word analysis
I cry out (אֶקְרָא, ’eqrā’): This verb signifies a fervent, desperate appeal, more than just speaking. It denotes an earnest, loud cry, indicative of extreme distress and urgent need for divine intervention. It conveys the psalmist's complete reliance on God as his only help.
to God (אֱלֹהִים, ’Elōhîm): The general Hebrew word for God, highlighting His character as the mighty Creator and Sustainer of the universe. When used with a desperate plea, it points to the vast power available to answer.
Most High (עֶלְיוֹן, ‘Elyôn): This divine title, often transliterated as Elyon, signifies God's supremacy, elevation, and absolute sovereignty over all creation, rulers, and circumstances. He is preeminent and has ultimate authority, capable of doing what no other can. It appears earlier in Genesis with Melchizedek (Gen 14).
to God (לָאֵל, lā’ēl): This is a distinct term for God, ’El, often emphasizing His power, strength, and might. Its usage alongside Elohim and Elyon compounds the emphasis on God's omnipotence and capacity to act on behalf of David.
who fulfills (גֹּמֵר, gōmēr): The Hebrew verb means to finish, complete, bring to pass, or accomplish. It conveys the idea that God not only has a purpose but is actively and infallibly working to bring that purpose to fruition, carrying it out to its completion without fail.
His purpose for me (בַעֲדִי, ba‘adī): Literally means "on my behalf" or "concerning me." While the word "purpose" isn't explicitly in the Hebrew text, it's inferred from the verb gōmēr. It indicates that God is bringing to completion that which concerns David or that which is planned for him. It emphasizes the highly personal nature of God's sovereign work in David's life. God's divine plan is uniquely tailored for David's specific situation.
Words-group analysis:
- "I cry out to God Most High": This phrase combines David's deep human vulnerability and desperate need ("I cry out") with a profound theological declaration about the one to whom he cries out: the omnipotent, sovereign Ruler of the cosmos ("God Most High"). It signifies prayer ascending from absolute weakness to absolute power.
- "to God who fulfills His purpose for me": This declares David's rock-solid confidence in God's faithfulness and proactive sovereignty. Despite being pursued and in peril, David knows that God is actively bringing to completion a specific divine agenda for his life, personally ensuring its fulfillment. This serves as an anchor of hope and a declaration of unwavering trust amidst fear.
Psalm 57 2 Bonus section
- The structure of Psalm 57 itself mirrors this verse: starting with lament and desperate petition (vv. 1-6) but concluding with confident praise and a shift towards deliverance (vv. 7-11), underscoring David's belief that God will fulfill His purpose.
- David's later life, particularly his establishment as king over Israel, is a direct fulfillment of God's purpose for him, demonstrating the veracity of the faith expressed in this verse while still fleeing Saul.
- The personal pronoun "for me" (ba‘adī) highlights that God's sovereign purpose is not a detached, general plan, but one deeply invested in the individual's specific life and circumstances.
- The psalm being a "Miktam" suggests it is a "golden psalm" or a psalm of lasting significance, reflecting a deep spiritual insight relevant to all generations.
Psalm 57 2 Commentary
Psalm 57:2 encapsulates the paradox of divine trust in the midst of human extremity. David, facing death and desperation in a cave, does not simply pray; he "cries out"—a verb signifying intense urgency and distress, indicating his recognition that only God can deliver him. He addresses God as Elohim Elyon (God Most High) and El, employing terms that emphasize God's absolute supremacy, unchallengeable power, and transcendent nature. This is not a mere theological nicety, but a critical anchor for David's faith; he acknowledges that the one he is appealing to is sovereign over all circumstances, including his current dire plight.
The second part of the verse, "to God who fulfills His purpose for me," is a profound declaration of faith. The Hebrew verb gōmēr speaks of God's active, conclusive completion of something. It is a powerful affirmation that God is not passively observing David's suffering but is intimately and powerfully working to bring His personal divine design for David's life to pass. This "purpose" extends beyond mere survival; it implies God's intention for David's destiny as king, as a man after God's own heart, and as an ancestor of the Messiah. David is declaring that God will finish what He started concerning him, turning apparent defeat into ultimate victory. This verse provides a timeless model for believers: to appeal desperately to an omnipotent God with absolute confidence in His sovereign and benevolent plan, trusting that He will indeed bring to completion all that concerns us for His glory and our good.