Psalm 57 Introduction

Structure and Formatting

Psalm 57 begins as a psalm of supplication or lament. It presents several of the basic elements of that type of psalm. But after the statement of trust, instead of a petition and a vow of praise, it turns into a psalm of worship. David experiences such confidence in God that instead of asking him to do something specific for him and promising to thank him publicly, David calls himself to praise God and says why he should do that. See the discussion of the types of psalms in the introduction to the book of Psalms. 1. Cry for help (1–3) 2. Description of troubles (4) 3. Refrain (5) 4. Description of troubles (6) 5. Statement of trust (7) 6. Call to worship (8–9) 7. Reason to worship (10) 8. Refrain (11)The superscription to this psalm identifies it as a “miktam.” See the discussion of that term in the introduction to Psalms.As its superscription indicates, the background to this psalm is one of two episodes in which David fled from King Saul and hid in a cave. This could have been the cave of Adullam, as described in [1 Samuel 22:1–2](../1sa/22/01.md), or the cave of En Gedi, as described in [1 Samuel 24:1–22](../1sa/24/01.md). It may be helpful to read those episodes before translating this psalm.

Translation Issues in This Psalm

Variation between “you” and “he”

In verses 1, 5, 7, and 9–11, David addresses God directly as “you.” In verses 2–3, he speaks about him as “God.” This variation of pronouns reflects the flow of psalm of supplication from a cry for help to a description of troubles to a statement of trust. This psalm then becomes a psalm of worship in which David continues to address God directly. However, if it would not be natural in your language to switch back and forth between second-person and third-person pronouns, you could use second-person pronouns throughout the psalm, as some versions do. For example, in verse 2 you might say “I call to you, God Most High,” and in verse 9, you might say “May you send” and “May you reproach.”

Note 1 topic: translate-unknown

לַ⁠מְנַצֵּ֣חַ

(la⁠mənaʦʦēaḩ)

See how you translated the term “chief musician” in the superscription to Psalm 4. Alternate translation: [For the leader of worship music] or [For the music director]

Note 2 topic: translate-transliterate

מִכְתָּ֑ם

(miktām)

The superscription to this psalm identifies it as a miktam. Since the meaning of this word is not certain, you may wish to represent it in its Hebrew form and spell it the way it sounds in your language. See the discussion of that term in the Introduction to Psalms.

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

בְּ⁠בָרְח֥⁠וֹ מִ⁠פְּנֵי־שָׁ֝א֗וּל בַּ⁠מְּעָרָֽה

(bə⁠ⱱārəḩ⁠ō mi⁠ppənēy-shāʼūl ba⁠məּˊārāh)

This superscription is referring to one of two episodes in which David fled from King Saul, who wanted to kill him, and hid in a cave. This could have been the cave of Adullam, as described in [1 Samuel 22:1–2](../1sa/22/01.md), or the cave of En Gedi, as described in [1 Samuel 24:1–22](../1sa/24/01.md). If it would be helpful to your readers, you could describe these events more fully, even though the identity of this cave is not certain. Alternate translation: [David wrote this song while he was hiding in a cave to which he had fled in order to be safe from King Saul]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / synecdoche

מִ⁠פְּנֵי־שָׁ֝א֗וּל

(mi⁠ppənēy-shāʼūl)

The superscription is using one part of Saul, his face, to mean all of him in his determination to kill David. Alternate translation: [from Saul, who wanted to kill him]