Psalms 57

The psalmist takes refuge in the shadow of God's wings while surrounded by lions whose teeth are spears and arrows. His enemies dig a pit but fall into it themselves. His heart is fixed, and he vows to awake early and praise God among the nations.

v	King James Version	Modern English
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.	Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in You I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of Your wings until the disaster has passed.
2	I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.	I cry out to God Most High, to God, Who vindicates me.
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.	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.
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.	I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts — men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
5	Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.	Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth.
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.	They spread a net for my feet — I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path — but they have fallen into it themselves.
7	My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.	My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise.
8	Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.	Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.
9	I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.	I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.
10	For thy mercy is great unto the heavens: and thy truth unto the clouds.	For your mercy is great to the heavens, and your truth to the clouds.
11	Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.	Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth.