Psalms 57:3
He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.
Original Language Analysis
יִשְׁלַ֥ח
He shall send
H7971
יִשְׁלַ֥ח
He shall send
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 10
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
מִשָּׁמַ֨יִם׀
from heaven
H8064
מִשָּׁמַ֨יִם׀
from heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
2 of 10
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וְֽיוֹשִׁיעֵ֗נִי
and save
H3467
וְֽיוֹשִׁיעֵ֗נִי
and save
Strong's:
H3467
Word #:
3 of 10
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
חֵרֵ֣ף
me from the reproach
H2778
חֵרֵ֣ף
me from the reproach
Strong's:
H2778
Word #:
4 of 10
to pull off, i.e., (by implication) to expose (as by stripping); specifically, to betroth (as if a surrender); figuratively, to carp at, i.e., defame;
שֹׁאֲפִ֣י
of him that would swallow me up
H7602
שֹׁאֲפִ֣י
of him that would swallow me up
Strong's:
H7602
Word #:
5 of 10
to inhale eagerly; figuratively, to cover; by implication, to be angry; also to hasten
יִשְׁלַ֥ח
He shall send
H7971
יִשְׁלַ֥ח
He shall send
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
7 of 10
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים
God
H430
אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
8 of 10
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
Cross References
Psalms 40:11Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.Psalms 43:3O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.Acts 12:11And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.Psalms 61:7He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.Numbers 23:24Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.Job 31:31If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.John 1:17For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Historical Context
Written when David hid in a cave from Saul (1 Samuel 22:1 or 24:3), this psalm shows faith exercised in literal darkness and confinement. The cave represented both physical refuge and spiritual testing ground.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's 'sending' from heaven manifest in your life beyond direct miracles?
- What does God's mercy and truth together reveal about His character?
Analysis & Commentary
David's confidence that God 'shall send from heaven' reveals divine intervention from beyond human means. The parallelism between 'mercy and truth' echoes covenant attributes (Exodus 34:6). God's 'sending' anticipates the ultimate sending of Christ (John 3:16). The rebuke of 'him that would swallow me up' uses predatory imagery, showing God's active defense of His elect.