John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes on the Bible (1765)

Psalms 57

Verse 3

3He 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.

Send forth - Will discover them, by affording his gracious help in pursuance of his promises.

Verse 4

4My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

Lions - Fierce and bloody men. I lie - I have my abode. On fire - From hell. Who are mere fire-brands, breathing out wrath and threatenings, and incensing Saul against me.

Verse 5

5Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.

Excited - Glorify thy power, and goodness, and justice, and faithfulness, by my deliverance. Above, &c. - To the highest degree possible.

Verse 7

7My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.

Fixed - In a stedfast belief of thy promises.

Verse 8

8Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.

My glory - My tongue, the instrument of singing. Awake - I will employ all the powers of my soul and body.

Verse 9

9I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.

The people - Among the Israelites, and among the Heathens, as I shall have occasion.