Psalm 57 – A Prayer for Protection from Persecution

For the leader. Al tashheth. A michtam of David, when he fled from Saul into a cave.

57 Be gracious, O God, be gracious to me,

for in you I take shelter.

In your sheltering wings I take refuge,

till ruin be over past.

2 I cry to the Most High God,

to the God who accomplishes for me.

3 He will send me his succour from heaven,

he will thrust away those who would trample me. Selah

4 In the midst of lions I lie,

who devour human prey.

Their teeth are spears and arrows,

and their tongue is a sharpened sword.

5 Be exalted, God, o’er the heavens,

and your glory o’er all the earth.

6 They set a net for my feet,

but in it was their own foot caught.

Before me they dug a pit,

but they fell into it themselves. Selah

7 My heart is steadfast, O God,

my heart is steadfast.

I would sing, I would make music;

8 awake, my soul.

Awake, harp and lyre;

I would wake the dawn.

9 I would praise you among the peoples, O Lord,

and make music among the nations to you;

10 for great to heaven is your love,

and your faithfulness to the clouds.

11 Be exalted, God, o’er the heavens,

and your glory o’er all the earth.