What does Psalm 57:5 mean?

When this psalm was written, David was on the run from the murderous King Saul (1 Samuel 19:1–2; 22:1; 24:2–3). Despite that danger (Psalm 57:1–2, 4), David was confident in the Lord's promises (Psalm 57:3). Though he was not yet king, David knew this was his destiny (1 Samuel 16:11–13). Here, he uses a refrain found also in the psalm's last verse (Psalm 57:11). Danger might inspire fear (Psalm 55:4–6), but believers have no reason to despair. Instead, they can respond to fearful moments in grateful faith (1 Thessalonians 5:8).

Praise and honor for God are cornerstone purposes for which mankind was created. Earthly rulers should seek to advance God's glory, just as David did. David also prayed that God would fill the earth with His glory. Since Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden, human beings carry a marred image of God and the world languishes under a curse. The apostle Paul writes: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). He describes all nature as experiencing "bondage to corruption" (Romans 8:21). He observes that it "has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth" (Romans 8:22). This disastrous situation will change when Jesus returns to earth. When He rules the earth, God's glory will be revealed and the entire human race will see it (Isaiah 40:5).