What does Psalm 57:11 mean?
ESV: Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!
NIV: Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
NASB: Be exalted above the heavens, God; May Your glory be above all the earth.
CSB: God, be exalted above the heavens; let your glory be over the whole earth.
NLT: Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth.
KJV: Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.
NKJV: Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth.
Verse Commentary:
This repeats the refrain David wrote in verse 5. He calls for the Lord's praise to spread all over the world. This is a fitting conclusion to a song written by a man the midst of danger (Psalm 57:1–4, 6; 1 Samuel 19:1–2; 22:1; 24:2–3) yet steeped in deep faith (Psalm 57:7–10). The risks around him did not dull David's confidence in the Lord's promises (Psalm 57:3). His reaction to hardship shows how believers can endure tragic circumstances with grateful hearts (1 Thessalonians 5:8).
God's glory is a frequent theme in the Bible. When an angel announced the birth of Jesus to a group of shepherds, the glory of the Lord shone around them (Luke 2:9). When Jesus stood at the top of a high mountain with three of His disciples, "he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light" (Matthew 17:2). Later, the apostle John wrote, "we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). Someday a remnant of Israel and saved Gentiles will see God's glory (Isaiah 60:2–3). It will happen when Jesus reigns on earth. Paul testified that Christians would appear with Jesus in glory (Colossians 3:4). When the New Jerusalem descends from heaven, it will have the glory of God, and its radiance will resemble a rare jewel (Revelation 21:10–11). God's glory will make the New Jerusalem and earth bright and beautiful forever.
Verse Context:
Psalm 57:6–11 closes David's combination of prayer for deliverance with praise for God's expected rescue. Like the first section of the psalm, this section concludes with the refrain declaring the Lord's glory and praise over the entire world.
Chapter Summary:
David asks for God's merciful protection, with full confidence that it will be delivered. Despite the vicious attacks of his enemies, David resolves to praise the Lord. This is motivated, in part, by appreciation for God's loyal, merciful, caring love. He declares that the Lord's praise should be heard all over the world.
Chapter Context:
Along with Psalms 56 and 142, this was composed in response to David's escape from Saul (1 Samuel 19:1–2; 22:1). This included hiding in cave, where David turned down an opportunity to kill his enemy (1 Samuel 24:1–22). David is entirely sure that God will fulfill His promises (1 Samuel 16:12–13).
Book Summary:
The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.
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Text from ESV, NIV, NASB, CSB, NLT, KJV, NKJV © Copyright respective owners, used by permission.
