Psalm 57 8

Psalm 57:8 kjv

Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.

Psalm 57:8 nkjv

Awake, my glory! Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn.

Psalm 57:8 niv

Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.

Psalm 57:8 esv

Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!

Psalm 57:8 nlt

Wake up, my heart!
Wake up, O lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn with my song.

Psalm 57 verses

Psalm 57 8 Meaning

Psalm 57:8 is a vibrant declaration of resolve to praise God with full earnestness. David commands his inner being ("my glory") and his musical instruments ("harp and lyre") to awaken for worship. The striking phrase "I will awaken the dawn" signifies his proactive, zealous commitment to begin praise early and forcefully, not waiting for external circumstances or even the rising sun to prompt him, but instead taking the initiative to usher in a new day of praise.

Psalm 57 8 Context

Psalm 57 is titled "To the choirmaster: according to Al-taschith. A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave." This superscription grounds the psalm in a time of severe personal danger for David, likely referencing incidents described in 1 Samuel 22:1 (Cave of Adullam) or 1 Samuel 24:1-7 (Cave of En-gedi), where David was pursued by King Saul with murderous intent.

The psalm opens with David's desperate plea for mercy and protection from his oppressors, comparing them to ravenous beasts and their words to sharp weapons (vv. 1-6). However, the turning point in the psalm is found in verse 7: "My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody!" Having committed his trust to God, verse 8 flows from this steadfastness. It’s no longer a lament but a determined, almost triumphant resolve to praise, transforming his cave of hiding into a concert hall of worship, and his desperate waiting into an active invitation of God’s presence and new hope.

Psalm 57 8 Word analysis

• Awake (עוּרִי – uri): This is an imperative verb, "Rouse yourself!" or "Stir up!" It implies a deliberate act of volitional energy, commanding oneself and the instruments to become active and alert for praise. It counters sluggishness or despondency.
• my glory (כְבוֹדִי – kebhodi): While literally meaning "my glory" or "my honor," in this context (and similar ones like Ps 16:9, 30:12, 108:1), it is widely interpreted as David’s inner self, his soul, his deepest essence, or sometimes specifically his tongue/speech, which is the primary instrument for articulating praise. David is commanding his entire being, particularly his faculty for praise, to rouse from any lethargy.
• harp (נֶבֶל – nebel): A stringed instrument, often described as a lute or a vertical harp, known for producing resonant, often lower, tones. It was a common instrument for sacred music and professional musicians in ancient Israel.
• lyre (כִּנּוֹר – kinnor): Another common stringed instrument, specifically a type of portable lyre often associated with King David himself. It was generally smaller than the nebel and could produce clearer, higher tones. The mention of both indicates a desire for full, rich musical accompaniment to his praise. These instruments were not merely tools but extensions of the worshipper's heart.
• I will awaken (אָעִירָה – a'irah): This is a first-person singular future tense, emphatic in Hebrew. It's an active and decisive declaration: "I myself will cause to awake," not "I will be awakened by..." It highlights David’s personal agency and zeal in initiating praise.
• the dawn (שָׁחַר – shachar): This term refers to the morning light, the first break of day. It is often a symbol of new beginnings, hope, and God's faithfulness (Lam 3:22-23). The profound imagery is that instead of passively waiting for the dawn to bring a new day or light into his darkness, David’s resolute praise is so powerful it will effectively usher in the dawn itself, overriding despair and manifesting hope through worship.

Psalm 57 8 Bonus section

The concept of "awakening the dawn" carries prophetic resonance, hinting at a divine-human partnership in ushering in God's redemptive purposes. Just as David’s determined praise can symbolically bring forth the dawn, believers are called to active engagement, with their worship and steadfast hope contributing to the spiritual dawning of God's Kingdom on earth. This reflects a shift from waiting on God passively to actively inviting His presence and action through faith and praise, effectively moving from night to day through an act of resolute worship. The phrase "Al-taschith" (Do not destroy) in the psalm's title further emphasizes David’s profound trust that God, despite the dire circumstances, will not allow him or his hope to be destroyed, making his awakening praise an act of defiant faith.

Psalm 57 8 Commentary

Psalm 57:8 marks a triumphant pivot in David's prayer. From crying out to God from the depths of fear and oppression (Ps 57:1-6), he makes a conscious, deliberate choice for proactive, joyful praise. Having declared his heart's steadfastness (Ps 57:7), he now mobilizes every part of his being and his instruments to participate in this resolute worship. The command "Awake, my glory" shows David speaking to his innermost self, stirring his soul out of any remaining despair or fear, aligning his spirit with his determined faith in God's mercy and unfailing love. He involves the "harp and lyre" not as mere background, but as essential partners in articulating the joy and confidence of his praise, emphasizing that worship should engage both the inner man and outward expression. The pinnacle of this verse is David's powerful assertion, "I will awaken the dawn." This is a profoundly active statement, conveying an initiative in praise that goes beyond merely reacting to circumstances. Rather than waiting for the morning to bring a new beginning or a lifting of his gloom, David declares that his intense, intentional worship will effectively hasten, or even create, that new day of hope and divine intervention. This exemplifies a worship that defies circumstance, demonstrating unshakeable faith and setting the tone for God's glory to be declared above all the earth (Ps 57:11).