Psalm 57:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!

NIV: Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.

NASB: Awake, my glory! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.

CSB: Wake up, my soul! Wake up, harp and lyre! I will wake up the dawn.

NLT: Wake up, my heart! Wake up, O lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song.

KJV: Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.

NKJV: Awake, my glory! Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn.

When David wrote Psalm 57, his circumstances were drab and dangerous. He was hiding in a cave from King Saul and his forces (1 Samuel 19:1–2; 22:1; 24:2–3). It must have been difficult to sleep, knowing his enemy was pressing down upon him (Psalm 57:1–5). He felt the pressure of anxiety and stress on his soul, as if he were bending under a heavy weight (Psalm 57:6). And yet, David resolves with his entire heart to faithfully praise and sing to God (Psalm 57:7).

Calling on someone or something to "awake" does not necessarily mean rousing it from sleep. The Hebrew root word literally refers to opening the eyes. But it can also mean to stir or act (Judges 5:12). David's comment about dawn likely means he intends to rise early, using all his musical and spiritual energies (Psalm 16:9). Although David was a king, poet, and warrior, he was also a musician. Before Saul sought to kill him, he had played the lyre in Saul's court (1 Samuel 16:23). Although the New Testament does not specify musical instruments to be associated with public worship, it does exhort Christians to sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in their hearts to God (Colossians 3:16). Like David, Christians can greet every morning with joyful praise.

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.

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).

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.