Psalms 57:4

_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._ My soul is among lions; and I lie even among them that are set on fire. The point in common between the two images - "lions," and "them that are set on fire," firebrands-is the dreadful fury of both. Instead of "I lie," translate, with the Chaldaic, 'I will lie' х_ 'ESHKªBAAH_ (H7901); the Hebrew letter he (h) expresses striving, or direction of the desire]. David would not probably pass from confidence (Psalms 57:3) to complaint here. What he means is, Though my soul is among lions (Psalms 17:12) I willingly, as it is thy will, will lie down among these firebrand-enemies....

4._My soul is among lions. _He again insists upon the cruelty of his enemies as a plea to prevail with God for his speedier interposition. He compares them to lions, speaks of them as inflamed with fury or implacable hatred, and likens their teeth to spears and arrows. In what he says of their tongue, he alludes to the virulent calumnies which are vended by the wicked, and which inflict a deeper wound than any sword upon the innocent party who suffers from them. David, as is well known, encountered no heavier trial than the false and calumnious charges which were levelled against him by his enemies. When we hear of the cruel persecution of different kinds which this saint was called upon to endure, we should account it no hardship to be involved in the same conflict, but be satisfied so long as we may bring our complaints to the Lord, who can bridle the false tongue, and put an arrest up...

1-6 All David's dependence is upon God. The most eminent believers need often repeat the publican's prayer, "God be merciful to me a sinner." But if our souls trust in the Lord, this may assure us, in our utmost dangers, that our calamities will at length be overpast, and in the mean time, by faith and prayer, we must make him our refuge. Though God be most high, yet he condescends so low, as to take care that all things are made to work for good to his people. This is a good reason why we should pray earnestly. Look which way we will on this earth, refuge fails, no help appears; but we may look for it from heaven. If we have fled from the wrath to come, unto Jesus Christ, he that performed all things needful to purchase the salvation of his people, will do for us and in us all things needful for our enjoyment of it. It made David droop to think there should be those that bore him so mu...

Verse Psalms 57:4. _MY SOUL_ IS _AMONG LIONS_] לבאם _bethoch lebaim_. I agree with Dr. _Kennicott_ that this should be translated, "My soul dwells in _parched places_," from לאב _laab_, he thirsted. And thus the _Chaldee_ seems to have understood the place, though it be not explicit. _I LIE_ EVEN AMONG _THEM THAT ARE SET ON FIRE_] I seem to be among _coals_. It is no ordinary rage and malice by which I am pursued: each of my enemies seems determined to have my life....

MY SOUL IS AMONG LIONS - That is, among people who resemble lions; men, fierce, savage, ferocious. AND I LIE EVEN AMONG THEM THAT ARE SET ON FIRE - We have a term of similar import in common use now, when we say that one is “inflamed” with passion, referring to one who is infuriated and enraged. So we speak of “burning” with rage or wrath - an expression derived, perhaps, from the inflamed “appearance” of a man in anger. The idea here is not that he “would” lie down calmly among those persons, as Prof. Alexander suggests, but that he actually “did” thus lie down. When he laid himself down at night, when he sought repose in sleep, he was surrounded by such persons, and seemed to be sleeping in the midst of them. EVEN THE SONS OF MEN - Yet they are not wild beasts, but “men” who seem to have the ferocious nature of wild beasts. The phrase, “sons of men,” is ofte

EXPOSITION This psalm—the "twin psalm" with the last—has also an elaborate "title," which runs thus: "To the precentor (or chief musician): destroy not; David's; Michtam; when he fled from Saul; in the cave." The meaning of the second and fourth headings is doubtful Some explain the second as "musical;" others as an allusion to David's words when he bade Abishai not to kill Saul. The last two clauses give the place and occasion of the composition. It was written "in the cave"—probably the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22:1)—when David was flying from Saul. No valid reason can be urged against these statements. The psalm is divided by its refrain (Psalms 57:5, Psalms 57:11) into two parts, which are further s

MY SOUL [IS] AMONG LIONS,.... Not literally understood; though such there might be in the wildernesses where he sometimes was; but figuratively, men comparable to lions, for their stoutness, courage, strength, fierceness, and cruelty; meaning not his own men, as some think, who were fierce, and of keen resentment against Saul, and would fain have killed him when he was in the cave, had they not been restrained by David, 1 Samuel 24:4; but Saul, and those with him, who were three thousand chosen men, stout, courageous, fierce, and furious. It is usual in scripture to describe powerful princes, and especially persecuting ones, by the name of lions, Proverbs 28:15. Achilles, in Homer o, is compared to a lion for his cruelty. The soul of Christ was among such, when he was apprehended by the band of men that

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._ The heading of this Psalm «To the chief musician, Aitaschith Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave,» tells us when it was written. It is one of David's « golden Psalms.» What a mixture of feebleness and strength there is in this first verse, the feebleness so beautified by being clothed with the strength of faith! What a turning away from man, and what a turning wholly unto the Lord! And, in coming to the Lord, what humility, and what pleading for mercy, and for mercy only! «Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me.» Yet what holy boldness also! « For my soul trusteth in thee.» And what joyous confidence and what sweet repose in God! «Yea, in the shadow of thy wings, will I make my refuge.» «I...

Psalms 57 Perfect Trust in God _ 1. Sheltered until the trouble is past (Psalms 57:1)_ 2. Deliverance and praise (Psalms 57:6) The inscription is Al-taschith, which means “destroy not”; it is the Michtam of David when he fled from Saul. It shows us once more the exercise of faith in the godly of Israel. In the shadow of His wings they take refuge till these calamities are overpast. They look for intervention from above, from where it will surely come at the close of the days of tribulation. “He shall send from heaven, and save me.” Then they know they will be delivered in anticipation of which the voice of praise is heard. “Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens, let Thy glory cover all the earth.”

LVII. HERE TWO PSS. ARE UNITED: A containing Psalms 57:1, B, Psalms 57:7. PSALMS 57:1. The Ps. is closely allied to the preceding, also a michtam Ps. (p. 373). The author flees to God's protection against his foes and is confident in his own safety and their overthrow. PSALMS 57:1. WILL I TAKE REFUGE: read, I will hide. Psalms 57:2. performeth all things for me: read, will requite me. Psalms 57:3. save me. reproacheth: read, pe