Psalms 57:4-6

A Description Of His Enemies And Their Fate (Psalms 57:4).

David describes the kind of people whom he is up against, and their desire to trap him, but is confident that, although he feels beset by them, they will fall into their own pit. Meanwhile he exalts the great God Who will cause this to happen.

Psalms 57:4

‘My person is among lions,

I lie among those who are set on fire,

Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows,

And their tongue a sharp sword.'

He describes his enemies as being ‘like lions', on the prowl for their prey (compare Psalms 7:2; Psalms 10:9; Psalms 17:12. He was very familiar with the depredations of lions (1 Samuel 17:34). And as being like ‘those who are set on fire'. This may signify those who are inflamed against him, having been stirred on by Saul. Or it may even have in mind an attempt, not spoken of elsewhere, to smoke him out of his hideout. Both descriptions bring out he fierce intent of his enemies. But he lies down without fear among them, unafraid of their teeth or their fiery flames.

His life in the wilderness of Engedi was one of almost unceasing pursuit, as men sought to hunt him down and to envelop him in their flames. But along with his men he lay at rest in the midst of his searching foes, because he knew that God was with him. His enemies might bare their teeth like lions on the prowl, or seek to strike him down with their tongues, but they did not disturb his peace one wit. Indeed, he was not only unafraid, but entered his enemy's camp at night, in order to demonstrate that had he wanted to he could have slain Saul out of hand (1 Samuel 26:4 ff.).

Psalms 57:5

‘Be you exalted, O God, above the heavens,

Let your glory be above all the earth.'

He makes clear that his courage does not just arise from within himself, but that it is because his trust is in God. Thus he calls on the God to exalt Himself above the heavens as He steps in on his behalf. And he prays that in the same way His glory might be above all the earth. His main desire in what he does is for the glory of God. He knows that God's purposes surmount all earthly situations. And this is why he can lie at peace among his enemies.

Psalms 57:6

‘They have prepared a net for my steps,

My person is bowed down,

They have dug a pit before me,

They are fallen into the midst of it themselves. [Selah

But he is not deceived. he knows that he has to be wary. He knows that his enemies have spread a net in order to entrap him, and have dug a pit for him to fall into. They are using all their wiles as hunters. And it has bowed him down. He finds being constantly on the run and having to watch all the time for what his enemies plot against him very wearing. But he is not afraid, and is assured in his heart that in the end they will fall into their own pit. For God is on his side.