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57 Unto the end, destroy not, for David, for an inscription of a title.

If in very deed you speak justice: judge right things, ye sons of men.

For in your heart you work iniquity: your hands forge injustice in the earth.

The wicked are alienated from the womb; they have gone astray from the womb: they have spoken false things.

Their madness is according to the likeness of a serpent: like the deaf asp that stoppeth her ears:

Which will not hear the voice of the charmers; nor of the wizard that charmeth wisely.

God shall break in pieces their teeth in their mouth: the Lord shall break the grinders of the lions.

They shall come to nothing, like water running down; he hath bent his bow till they be weakened.

Like wax that melteth they shall be taken away: fire hath fallen on them, and they shall not see the sun.

10 Before your thorns could know the brier; he swalloweth them up, as alive, in his wrath.

11 The just shall rejoice when he shall see the revenge: he shall wash his hands in the blood of the sinner.

12 And man shall say: If indeed there be fruit to the just: there is indeed a God that judgeth them on the earth.

Psalm 57[a](A)

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.[b] When he had fled from Saul into the cave.(B)

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
    for in you I take refuge.(C)
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings(D)
    until the disaster has passed.(E)

I cry out to God Most High,
    to God, who vindicates me.(F)
He sends from heaven and saves me,(G)
    rebuking those who hotly pursue me—[c](H)
    God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.(I)

I am in the midst of lions;(J)
    I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
    whose tongues are sharp swords.(K)

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
    let your glory be over all the earth.(L)

They spread a net for my feet(M)
    I was bowed down(N) in distress.
They dug a pit(O) in my path—
    but they have fallen into it themselves.(P)

My heart, O God, is steadfast,
    my heart is steadfast;(Q)
    I will sing and make music.
Awake, my soul!
    Awake, harp and lyre!(R)
    I will awaken the dawn.

I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
    I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches to the skies.(S)

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;(T)
    let your glory be over all the earth.(U)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 57:1 In Hebrew texts 57:1-11 is numbered 57:2-12.
  2. Psalm 57:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  3. Psalm 57:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 6.