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Psalm 57:1

For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A poem by David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave. Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me, for my soul takes refuge in you. Yes, in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, until disaster has passed.

1For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A poem by David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave. Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me, for my soul takes refuge in you. Yes, in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, until disaster has passed.
2I cry out to God Most High, to God who accomplishes my requests for me.
3He will send from heaven, and save me, he rebukes the one who is pursuing me. Selah. God will send out his loving kindness and his truth.
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Psalm 57:2 →
Notice

The repeated plea for mercy comes from a man hiding in a cave, whose trust in God still has danger to wait through.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

How does David’s repeated plea for mercy shape your understanding of trust?

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What might taking refuge in God look like while a threat remains unresolved?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 91:1He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.Both passages describe shelter in God through the image of his shadow, with Psalm 91 speaking of rest there.
Isaiah 26:20Come, my people, enter into your rooms, and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourself for a little moment, until the indignation is past.Both passages describe taking shelter until danger passes, though Isaiah names indignation and David speaks of disaster.
Psalm 91:4He will cover you with his feathers. Under his wings you will take refuge. His faithfulness is your shield and rampart.Both passages picture refuge under God’s wings; Psalm 91 adds feathers and describes his faithfulness as a shield.
Psalm 36:7How precious is your loving kindness, God! The children of men take refuge under the shadow of your wings.Both passages speak of refuge in the shadow of God’s wings, linking that shelter with mercy or loving kindness.
Psalm 17:7–8Show your marvelous loving kindness, you who save those who take refuge by your right hand from their enemies.Both prayers seek God’s help against danger and describe him as the one in whom people take refuge.
Revelation 21:4He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more. The first things have …Both speak of trouble passing, though David awaits the passing of disaster and Revelation describes the end of death and pain.
Ruth 2:12May the LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given to you from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”Both passages use God’s wings as an image of refuge, applying it to David’s plea and to Ruth’s trust.
James 5:10–11Take, brothers, for an example of suffering and of perseverance, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.The shared thread is endurance through trouble: David takes refuge until disaster passes, and James points to the prophets’ perseverance.
Zephaniah 2:3Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who have kept his ordinances. Seek righteousness. Seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the …Both passages connect seeking God with shelter amid danger, though Zephaniah speaks of possible hiding during the LORD’s anger.
Matthew 23:37“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen …Both use wings as an image of shelter; David seeks that refuge, while Jesus laments Jerusalem’s refusal to be gathered.
Revelation 7:14I told him, “My lord, you know.” He said to me, “These are those who came out of the great suffering. They washed their robes and made them white in the Lamb’s …David seeks refuge until disaster passes; Revelation describes people who have come out of great suffering.
Isaiah 50:10Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of his servant? He who walks in darkness and has no light, let him trust in the LORD’s name, and rely on his …Both passages describe reliance on God amid unresolved hardship, pictured as disaster in the psalm and darkness in Isaiah.
Where this verse fits

Fear for the future. anxiety or panic. waiting.

What the Bible says about fear →What the Bible says about anxiety →What the Bible says about patience →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Pray Psalm 57:1 aloud before bed tonight

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Encouragement

David asks for mercy twice while taking refuge in God. Your prayers may repeat themselves too; trust can speak from a place where danger has not passed.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 57:1. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 57 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).