PSALM 57 Al-taschith signifies destroy not; which some think to be a preface containing the sum of the Psalm, and reminding David of his great distress, in which he then was; which obliged him to make fervent prayers to God that he would not destroy him, nor give him up into the hands of his enemies, who always designed and desired to destroy him, and now seemed to have a fair opportunity to do it. The cave; either,
1. That of Adullam, 1 Samuel 22:1; or,
2. That of En-gedi, 1 Samuel 24:1. The psalmist in prayer fleeth to God for protection and favour in his dangerous condition, Psalms 57:1-5; describeth the wicked projects of his enemies, Psalms 57:6, and encourageth himself from God's mercy to praise him, Psalms 57:7-11. Be merciful unto me: the repetition implies both the greatness of his danger, and the fervency of his spirit in this request, and withal that his whole trust and hope was in God's mercy. In the shadow of thy wings, i.e. of thy protection; to which alone I trust, and not to the shadow of this dark cave, in which I now hide myself. These calamities; or, the time of these calamities, which I know will shortly have an end.