What does Psalm 57:7 mean?
ESV: My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody!
NIV: My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
NASB: My heart is steadfast, God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises!
CSB: My heart is confident, God, my heart is confident. I will sing; I will sing praises.
NLT: My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!
KJV: My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.
NKJV: My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise.
Verse Commentary:
Despite danger (Psalm 57:1–4), David is committed to praising God (Psalm 57:5). In the prior verse, David noted how his opponents set traps for him, hoping to catch him in a moment of vulnerability (Psalm 57:6). Yet he is so confident in God's rescue that he sings to proclaim his deep trust in the Lord.
The description David claims here is from the Hebrew word nākon', which implies stability, preparation, and firmness. David's faith is well-prepared and entirely committed to the Lord God. He has no intention of abandoning his faith, even in the face of danger. Thriving trust in the Lord leads to thankfulness and praise. While those who reject God bring themselves punishment and shame (Isaiah 65:11–13), a Christian believer's sense of joy can be intensely reassuring (Isaiah 64:14; John 15:11).
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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