| Psalms 57 TO THE CHIEF MUSICIAN , AL TASCHITH, MICHTAM OF DAVID, WHEN HE FLED FROM SAUL IN THE CAVE. <<AL TASCHITH>> In Modern hebrew this would be pronounced something like, "Al taschcayt". It means literally, "Do not destroy". It is a plea for help. The Malbim says it is a plea not only that he not be destroyed by Saul but that he not destroy his own soul by giving in to his primeval instincts and killing Saul when he had the chance in the Cave (1-Samuel 24:4). S.R. Hirsch says it is a plea against threatened spiritual destruction as well as physical destruction. David was human like everybody else and liable to be spiritually influenced in a negative direction by the adversities he had to endure. The Midrash (Yalkut Shimeoni) suggest that the cave is emphasized here to remind us of the Cave in which Lot took refuge after the destruction of Seom and Gomorha. Lot while unconscious through drink had intercourse with his daughters and gave birth to Ammon and Moab (Genesis 19:30-37). From Moab came Ruth who was an ancestress of David. Lot was saved in order to give rise to Ruth. So too, for some of us life has not always been easy. There may have been times when we were doubtful if it was all worth it or if we were worthy. From our children or from our mere being and actions good can still emerge though we may not necessarily see it. Even the bad we have done in some cases may have positive results. If we believe in the Almighty everything can be turned around for the better. [Psalms 57:1] 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 Midrash (Shocher Tov) on this Psalm says that Israel was exiled only because they stopped tithing and they have only to renew tithing to be redeemed. These kind of sayings are not necessarily meant to be taken entirely literally. One can find several other similar statements concerning other commandments and good deeds along the same lines, i.e. "Only because of .only need". The principle however is the same. To do the right thing all round is not always difficult especially if we take the right attitude and let one good deed lead to another. [Psalms 57:2] I WILL CRY UNTO GOD MOST HIGH; UNTO GOD THAT PERFORMETH ALL THINGS FOR ME. [Psalms 57:3] HE SHALL SEND FROM HEAVEN, AND SAVE ME FROM THE REPROACH OF HIM THAT WOULD SWALLOW ME UP. SELAH. GOD SHALL SEND FORTH HIS MERCY AND HIS TRUTH. [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. The enemies of Judah are the enemies of King David. They speak against the Almighty, see: http://britam.org/judah2.html http://britam.org/judah.html [Psalms 57:5] BE THOU EXALTED, O GOD, ABOVE THE HEAVENS; LET THY GLORY BE ABOVE ALL THE EARTH. [Psalms 57:6] 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. [Psalms 57:7] MY HEART IS FIXED, O GOD, MY HEART IS FIXED: I WILL SING AND GIVE PRAISE. [Psalms 57:8] AWAKE UP, MY GLORY; AWAKE, PSALTERY AND HARP: I MYSELF WILL AWAKE EARLY. <<AWAKE EARLY>> The Hebrew may be understood to say, "I will awaken the dawn". Benjamin Franklin said: "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise". [Psalms 57:9] I WILL PRAISE THEE, O LORD, AMONG THE PEOPLE: I WILL SING UNTO THEE AMONG THE NATIONS. [Psalms 57:10] FOR THY MERCY IS GREAT UNTO THE HEAVENS, AND THY TRUTH UNTO THE CLOUDS. [Psalms 57:11] BE THOU EXALTED, O GOD, ABOVE THE HEAVENS: LET THY GLORY BE ABOVE ALL THE EARTH. |