This is another psalm which purports to be a psalm of David. The propriety of ascribing it to him cannot be called in question. It is addressed to “the chief Musician” (see the notes to Introduction of Psalms 4:1-8). Though relating to an individual case, and to the particular trials of an individual, yet it had much in it that would be appropriate to the condition of others in similar circumstances, and it contained, moreover, such general sentiments on the subject of religion, that it would be useful to the people of God in all ages. The expression in the title, “Al-taschith,” rendered in the margin, “Destroy not,” and by the Septuagint, μή διαφθείρης mē diaphtheirēs (destroy not), and in the same manner in the Latin Vulgate, occurs also in the titles of the two following psalms, and of the seventy-fifth. It is regarded by some as a musical expression - and by others as the first words of some well-known poem or hymn, in order to show that this psalm was to be set to the music which was employed in using that poem; or, as we should say, that the “tune” appropriate to that was also appropriate to this, so that the words would at once suggest the tune, in the same manner as the Latin designations De Profundis, Miserere, Non Nobis Domine, Te Deum, etc., indicate well-known tunes as pieces of music - the tunes to which the hymns beginning with those words are always sung.
The author of the Chaldee Paraphrase regards this psalm as belonging to that period of David’s history when he was under a constant necessity of using language of this nature, or of saying “Destroy not,” and as therefore suited to all similar emergencies. The language seems to be derived from the prayer of Moses, Deuteronomy 9:26; “I prayed therefore unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, destroy not thy people,” etc. This very expression is found in 1 Samuel 26:9, in a command which David addressed to his followers, and it “may” have been a common expression with him. On the meaning of the word “Michtam” in the title, see the notes at the Introduction to Psalms 16:1-11. It is found in the three following psalms - in the two former of them, in connection with the phrase “Al-taschith, showing that probably those psalms had reference to the same period of David’s life.
When he fled from Saul in the cave - Possibly the cave of Adullam 1 Samuel 22:1, or that of En-gedi 1 Samuel 24:1-3. Or, the word may be used in a “general” sense as referring not to any “particular” cave, but to that period of his life when he was compelled to flee from one place to another for safety, and when his home was “often” in caves.
The psalm consists of the following parts:
I. An earnest prayer of the suffering and persecuted man, with a full expression of confidence that God would hear him, Psalms 57:1-3.
II. A description of his enemies, as people that resembled lions; people, whose souls were inflamed and infuriated; people, whose teeth were like spears and arrows, Psalms 57:4.
III. The expression of a desire that God might be exalted and honored, or that all these events might result in his honor and glory, Psalms 57:5.
IV. A further description of the purposes of his enemies, as people who had prepared a net to take him, or had digged a pit into which he might fall, but which he felt assured was a pit into which they themselves would fall, Psalms 57:6.
V. A joyful and exulting expression of confidence in God; an assurance that he would interpose for him; a determination to praise and honor him; a desire that God might be exalted above the heaven, and that his glory might fill all the earth - forgetting his own particular troubles, and pouring out the desire of his heart that “God” might be honored whatever might occur to “him.”