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Song (Psalm) 57

Note: This is still a very early look into the unfinished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public. Some things (like capitalisation of ‘him’ referring to Jesus or ‘father’ referring to God) in the RV haven’t been decided yet so we’re still testing both ways.

Note: The Readers’ Version on the left is a translation into contemporary English aimed at the person on the street who hasn’t necessarily been brought up with exposure to Biblical jargon and/or 500-year old English. It’s designed to be used alongside the Literal Version on the right which gives the English reader a window into what’s actually written in the original languages. (See the introduction for more details—we recommend that you read the introduction first if you’re wanting to fully understand the Literal Version.) By comparing the left and right columns, you should be able to easily get the message of the text, while at the same time keeping an eye on what it was actually translated from.

Note that greyed words in the RV are words that the translators consider were most probably in the mind of the writer, but as none of us can double-check with the original speakers or writers, the reader is free to disagree. They are clearly marked because we’ve tried to be as honest and transparent as possible.

The lighter coloured words in the LV are words which aren’t needed in the grammar of the original languages but are required or implied in English. You can read the Key to learn more about them. The underlines joining words in the LV show when one original language word needs to be translated into two or more English words. (Just hide them with the button if you don’t need that information and find it distracting.) Also, the majority of sentences in the LV don’t have the words put into a sensible English order yet. (This should be completed by the end of 2023.)

See also the FAQs and the Glossary.

Readers’ Version

Literal Version

57:1 A prayer for protection from predators

Praise and Assurance under Persecution; A Prayer for Help

For the musical director: a song[fn] by David written when he was fleeing from Shaul and hid in a cave. To be sung to the tune of ‘Don’t destroy’.

For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time he fled from Saul and went into the cave. To be sung to the tune “Do Not Destroy!”; For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. Amiktam. When he had fled from Saul into the cave.; For the leader: set to ‘Destroy not’: for David: a miktam (when he was a fugitive from Saul in the cave); To the leader: Do Not Destroy. Of David. A Miktam, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.

57 Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me,

because I ≈come to you to be safe until these troubles are over.

≈I stay under your wings for protection until this destruction is over.

2 I will cry to the highest God—

to God, who ≈ensures that I get justice.

3 He will send help from heaven and rescue me,

He’s angry with those who crush me. (Instrumental break.)

God will ≈let me experience his loyal commitment and his faithfulness.

4 My life is among lions.

≈I’m ≈among those who are ready to devour me.

I’m among people whose teeth are spears and arrows,

≈and whose tongues are sharp swords.

5 May you be lifted up, God, above the skies.

≈May your ≈splendour be seen by the whole world.

6 They spread out a net to catch my feet—I was distressed.

≈They dug a pit in front of me. They themselves have fallen into it. (Instrumental break.)

7 My heart is fixed, God, ≈I’ve made my decision.

I will sing, yes, I’ll sing praises.

8 Wake up, my honoured heart. Wake up, harp and other stringed instrument.

I’ll wake up the dawn.

9 My master, I’ll give thanks to you among the peoples.

≈I’ll sing praises to you among the nations.

10 because your loyal commitment is great—reaching to the heavens,

≈and your faithfulness to the clouds.

11 May you be lifted up, God, above the skies.

≈May your ≈splendour be seen by the whole world.

57For_the_director al- tashcheth of_Dāvid a_miktam in/on/at/with_fled_he from_face/in_front_of Shāʼūl/(Saul) in/on/at/with_cave.

2 \f + \fr 57:2 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

57.

1\f* gracious_me Oh_god gracious_me if/because in_you(ms) soul_of_my it_takes_refuge and_in/on/at/with_shadow_of wings_of_your I_take_refuge until it_will_pass_by destruction(s).

3 \f + \fr 57:3 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

57.

2\f* I_call_out to_god Most_High to_THE_god who_avenges for_me.

4 \f + \fr 57:4 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

57.

3\f* he_will_send from_heaven and_save_me he_will_reproach tramples_of_me Şelāh god he_will_send steadfast_love_of_his and_faithfulness_of_his.

5 \f + \fr 57:5 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

57.

4\f* soul_of_my in_the_middle lions I_lie_with those_who_devour the_children_of humankind teeth_of_whose are_a_spear and_arrows and_tongues_of_whose is_a_sword sharp.

6 \f + \fr 57:6 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

57.

5\f* exalted above the_heavens Oh_god be_over all_of the_earth/land glory_of_your.

7 \f + \fr 57:7 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

57.

6\f* a_net they_prepared for_steps_of_my soul_of_my it_bowed_down they_dug to/for_my_face/front a_pit they_have_fallen in/on/at/with_midst_of_it Şelāh.

8 \f + \fr 57:8 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

57.

7\f* is_steadfast heart_of_my Oh_god is_steadfast heart_of_my I_will_sing and_sing_praises.

9 \f + \fr 57:9 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

57.

8\f* awake soul_of_my awake the_harp and_lyre I_will_waken the_dawn.

10 \f + \fr 57:10 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

57.

9\f* give_thanks_you in/on/at/with_peoples my_master sing_praises_you not nations.

11 \f + \fr 57:11 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

57.

10\f* if/because is_great to the_heavens steadfast_love_of_your and_unto the_clouds faithfulness_of_your.

12 \f + \fr 57:12 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

57.

11\f* exalted above the_heavens Oh_god be_over all_of the_earth/land glory_of_your.

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