Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 57:11
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: [let] thy glory [be] above all the earth.
11. How can the Psalmist conclude more fitly than with a repetition of this prayer, which now looks beyond his own immediate needs to that perfect and universal sovereignty of God, which is the final goal of hope (1Co 15:28; Rev 19:6)?
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens – See the notes at Psa 57:5. The sentiment here is repeated as being that on which the mind of the psalmist was intensely fixed; that which he most earnestly desired; that which was the crowning aim and desire of his life.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 11. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens] The same sentiments and words which occur in Ps 57:5. See Clarke on Ps 57:5.
David was not only in a happy state of mind when he wrote this Psalm, but in what is called a state of triumph. His confidence in God was unbounded; though encompassed by the most ferocious enemies, and having all things against him except God and his innocence. David will seldom be found in a more blessed state than he here describes. Similar faith in God will bring the same blessings to every true Christian in similar circumstances.
ANALYSIS OF THE FIFTY-SEVENTH PSALM
The contents of this Psalm are, –
I. David’s petition, Ps 57:1.
II. The reasons which induced him to offer it, Ps 57:2-6.
III. His resolution to give God due praise, Ps 57:5; Ps 57:7-11.
I. His petition is ardent. The repetition shows this: it is for grace and protection: “Be merciful unto me, be merciful unto me, O God!”
II. He adduces his reasons to persuade the Lord to be merciful.
First reason. The faith and confidence he had in God: “My soul trusteth in thee; and under the shadow of thy wings,” as the chicken does under those of the hen, “shall be my refuge until these calamities be overpast.”
Second reason. The sufficiency and efficiency of God: “I will call upon God.”
l. He is the Most High; then he is sufficient and able to deliver me.
2. He will perform all things for me: therefore he will effect this.
In the following verse he insists on this argument.
“He shall send from heaven.” He will do it in a miraculous way, if there be no other way: “He will send from heaven, and save me. He will send forth his mercy and his truth;” he will perform his word, and graciously save me.
The third reason of his petition is the extreme danger he was then in by a cruel and merciless enemy.
1. “My soul is among the lions,” a ravenous, strong, and bloody creature.
2. “I lie even among those who are set on fire.” Their anger and hatred to me are implacable.
3. Even among those whose “teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.” They wound by calumniating me. A spear wounds near; an arrow, afar off; a sword, at hand: near or far off, they spare not to disgrace me.
He now brings another argument, stronger than all the rest, viz., God’s glory. It will be to his glory to be merciful, to save, and to deliver; and therefore he prays: “Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let thy glory,” c. That is, Let not the wicked triumph but display thy power, and assert thy glory; which, if thou do, thy glory will be conspicuous above – in the heavens, and below – over all the earth.
He then begins his complaint, describing the practices of his enemies: –
1. “They have prepared a net for my feet.” They lay snares as fowlers do.
2. Through which “my soul is bowed down.” My life is in extreme danger.
3. “They have digged a pit before me,” intending to take me like some wild beast, but, praised be God I foresee the event. “They are fallen into the pit themselves.”
III. In confidence of this David gives thanks, which may be considered a fourth argument; for there is no such way to procure a new favour as to be thankful. Our thanksgiving: should consist of two especial points: 1. Commemoration; 2. Declaration.
1. He that will be thankful should treasure up in his heart and memory the kindness that is done to him. This David had done: “My heart is fixed, my heart is fixed.”
2. After he remembers it, he should be affected by it, and resolve on it. So does David. My heart is ready, prepared, fixed. I will be thankful. I am determined.
3. It is not enough that a man have a thankful heart; he must declare it, and make publicly known what God has done for him: “I will sing, and give praise.”
4. He should use all means in his power to make it known; tongue, psaltery, harp, are all little enough. To these he addresses himself: “Awake, tongue, lute, harp,” c.
5. He must not do it carelessly: “Awake! Awake! Myself will awake.”
6. He must take the first opportunity, and not delay it: “I will awake EARLY.”
7. He should do it in such a way as most tends to God’s glory: “I will praise thee among the people – I will sing of thee among the nations.”
That all this may be done, David gives a sufficient reason, – God’s mercy and truth. His infinite mercy in promising, his truth in performing: “Thy mercy is great unto the heavens thy truth unto the clouds.”
And then he concludes with a repetition of the fifth verse: “Be thou exalted above the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.” Let all give thee the glory due to thy name.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
See Poole “Psa 57:5“.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens,…. As Christ now is at the Father’s right hand, and who is God over all, blessed for ever;
[let] thy glory [be] above all the earth; as it is above all the men on earth and angels in heaven. This is repeated from Ps 57:5;
[See comments on Ps 57:5], and shows the vehemency of his desire after these things, and how much his heart was set upon them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
11. The daydawn of triumph, which opened in Psa 57:5, is here brought forward as a closing refrain.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
REFLECTIONS
READER it is very improving and profitable to observe in the example of David, and other saints of God gone before, how their faith and patience have been exercised, and what grace hath been imparted to them to help them forward in all their seasons of need. And it is intended, no doubt, by the Holy Ghost, in recording the history of their contentions and the blessed issue of them, to animate our minds under our lesser difficulties, that we may be the followers of them, who now through faith and patience inherit the promises. But over and above all this, and infinitely more interesting than all, no doubt, the blessed Spirit intended by these Michtams of David, these Al-taschiths of inspiration, to glorify the Lord Jesus. Oh! how do all examples sink to nothing while we contemplate him. Oh! how precious to a poor believer under exercises is it to trace his blessed footsteps going before. And oh! how great the strength, the confidence, nay, the joy imparted in the deepest tribulation, when we not only look up and behold our Great Intercessor, who is now at the right hand of power, there appearing in the presence of God for us, as once a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, but now holding forth a suited grace to help us in all our exercises. Yes! blessed Redeemer! thy example is lovely, precious, and sweetly accommodating. Thou art everything, and in all things our glory and the lifter up of our bead. Be thou exalted, Lord, in the souls of thy people, as thou art above the heavens, and let thy glory be our joy as thou art glorified above all the earth.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 57:11 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: [let] thy glory [be] above all the earth.
Ver. 11. Be thou exalted, &c. ] Versus amoibaeus: see Psa 57:5 , only that is in way of prayer; this, of praise.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
To the chief Musician. See App-64.
Al-taschith = Destroy not. See notes on Title, and Psa 56:13; also App-65.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Psa 57:11
Psa 57:11
THE REFRAIN
“Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Let thy glory be above all the earth.”
We commented on this in Psa 57:5, above.
E.M. Zerr:
Psa 57:11. The actual position of God cannot be changed by any man. Be thou exalted means that David was desirous of seeing God thus exalted.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Psa 57:5, Psa 8:1, Psa 8:9, Rev 15:3, Rev 15:4
Reciprocal: 1Ch 29:11 – exalted Psa 18:46 – exalted Psa 21:13 – Be thou Psa 108:5 – Be thou Psa 113:4 – his glory Isa 6:3 – the whole earth Mar 15:15 – willing Luk 11:2 – Hallowed 1Ti 1:17 – be Rev 11:17 – thou hast
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
The refrain closes the psalm (cf. Psa 57:5). God’s glory was David’s greatest concern.
Life sometimes seems similar to a jungle, with wild beasts threatening to devour us and hostile hunters trying to trap us. Nevertheless, the godly can count on supernatural assistance and can rejoice in ultimate salvation. In the meantime, we should live for the glory of God.