Psalm 57: My Heart Is Fixed, O God

A prayer for shelter under God's wings that turns into confident praise.

Psalm 57 - My Heart Is Fixed, O God

Psalm 57 opens with David seeking refuge 'in the shadow of thy wings' while his soul dwells 'among lions' whose teeth are spears and tongues sharp swords, an image continuing the danger of Psalms 56.


To him that excelleth. Destroy not. A Psalme of David on Michtam. When he fled from Saul in the cave. Have mercie vpon me, O God, haue mercie vpon me: for my soule trusteth in thee, and in the shadowe of thy wings wil I trust, till these afflictions ouerpasse.

I will call vnto the most high God, euen to the God, that performeth his promise toward me.

He will send from heauen, and saue me from the reproofe of him that would swallowe me. Selah. God wil send his mercy, and his trueth.

My soule is among lions: I lie among the children of men, that are set on fire: whose teeth are speares and arrowes, and their tongue a sharpe sworde.

Exalt thy selfe, O God, aboue the heauen, and let thy glory be vpon all the earth.

They haue layd a net for my steps: my soule is pressed downe: they haue digged a pit before me, and are fallen into the mids of it. Selah.

Mine heart is prepared, O God, mine heart is prepared: I will sing and giue prayse.

Awake my tongue, awake viole and harpe: I wil awake early.

I will prayse thee, O Lord, among the people, and I wil sing vnto thee among the nations.

For thy mercie is great vnto the heauens, and thy trueth vnto the cloudes.

Exalt thy selfe, O God, aboue the heauens, and let thy glory be vpon all the earth.

The mood shifts at verse 7 to resolute praise, 'My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise,' anticipating the earth filled with God's glory described in <a href="/bible/geneva1599/habakkuk/chapter-2/14">Habakkuk 2:14</a>. The next chapter, <a href="/bible/geneva1599/psalms/chapter-58">Psalms 58</a>, turns from personal danger to a rebuke of unjust judges.