What does Psalm 57:6 mean?

The evil King Saul tried to kill David (1 Samuel 19:1–2; 22:1; 24:2–3). Those efforts ultimately failed, and David became the first of God's endorsed line of kings (2 Samuel 7:12–16). When this psalm was written, David had not yet seen victory over his enemies. Yet he writes as if that success had already happened. Their attacks had left him anxious and fearful (Psalm 55:4–6; 57:1–4). This causes David's soul to "bend:" a figure of speech much like the English expression "wringing one's hands," which also means someone is intensely worried.

David suggests that the evil intents of others have turned into their own downfall (Proverbs 29:6; Psalm 9:16). Nets and pits were common traps used to capture animals. In warfare, they could also be useful ways to catch an enemy off guard. An evil person may pursue their goals so blindly and wickedly that they fail to recognize other dangers. In their attempt to harm others, they harm themselves. In the early days of the Church, evil King Herod raged against the believers. He executed the apostle James and imprisoned the apostle Peter with the intention of executing him too. But the Lord freed Peter and ended Herod's life abruptly and dramatically (Acts 12:21–23).

In other cases, the evil person may fall victim to the exact same trap they've set for someone else. The book of Esther talks about wicked Haman's efforts to dispose of righteous Mordecai. His final effort was the building of gallows on which to hang Mordecai, but the plan backfired. Haman was hung on his own gallows (Esther 7:7–10).

This verse uses the term selah, which is not clearly defined. However, it seems to indicate a pause. This is appropriate, in that the following verses are enthusiastic, and dramatic, in their praise of the Lord.