Psalms 57

To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.

This psalm divides into two parts, each ending in the refrain, Psalms 57:5; Psalms 57:11. The first contains his prayer and complaint, the second, his trust and triumph. It belongs to the period of the Sauline persecutions, probably to 1 Samuel 24:0, and with the other psalms belonging to the same class, it has many points of resemblance, to which allusion will be made in the notes.

TITLE: Al-taschith Literally, Destroy not. Supposed to be the initial words of an earlier song to the melody of which this psalm was to be sung. The Hebrews commonly gave the first word or words of a book, or song, as its title. Thus the book of Genesis is entitled Bereysheeth In the beginning and Exodus, Veeyleh shemoth, Now these (are) the names; and so of others. But more probably, as others suppose, the word in question was a maxim which David had adopted in regard to Saul, to remind him not to take his life, or oppose him with violence. It occurs also in the titles of Psalms 58, 59, , 75. For Michtam, see on Psalms 16:0, title.

In the cave Probably the cave of Engedi, (1 Samuel 24:1, etc.,) not Adullam; see note on title of Psalms 142:0. The place where David retreated was probably among the mountains north of the plain of Engedi, especially the notable cliff Ras el-Mersed, “perhaps the highest and most inaccessible of all the cliffs along the western coast of the Dead Sea.” Robinson. Here, among its caverns and narrow passes, he enjoyed a brief respite, “upon the rocks of the wild goats.” 1 Samuel 24:1-2. (Jos., Antiq., 6, 13, 4.) Our psalm would seem to have been written earlier than Psalms 63:0, as appears from the calm tone of assured safety of the latter. The site of the city is at the base of the mountain, near the sea, and before it stretches a beautiful and fertile valley not much over a mile square.