Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. Awake, my glory!The phrase "Awake, my glory!" is a call to action, a stirring of the soul to rise and give praise. The Hebrew word for "glory" here is "kavod," which often signifies honor, splendor, or the inner self. In the context of this psalm, it suggests that the psalmist is urging his own soul, his very essence, to awaken and glorify God. This reflects a deep, personal commitment to worship, emphasizing that praise is not just an outward act but an inward awakening of one's entire being to the majesty of God. Awake, O harp and lyre!
The instruments mentioned, "harp and lyre," are traditional in ancient Hebrew worship. The harp, or "nevel" in Hebrew, and the lyre, or "kinnor," were commonly used in temple worship and personal devotion. By calling these instruments to awake, the psalmist is personifying them, suggesting that they too have a role in the worship of God. This highlights the importance of music in spiritual expression and the belief that all creation, even inanimate objects, can be used to glorify the Creator. I will awaken the dawn
The phrase "I will awaken the dawn" is a powerful metaphor for the psalmist's determination to begin his day with praise. The Hebrew word for "dawn" is "shachar," which signifies the first light of day. By stating that he will awaken the dawn, the psalmist is expressing his intent to be proactive in worship, to start his day with a focus on God. This reflects a disciplined spiritual life where praise is prioritized, setting the tone for the day. It also suggests a sense of urgency and eagerness to meet with God, as if the psalmist's praise is so fervent that it brings forth the morning light. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of this psalm, David is in a time of distress, likely hiding from King Saul. He is known for his deep relationship with God and his skill in music and poetry. 2. Harp and LyreThese are musical instruments used in ancient Israelite worship. They symbolize praise and worship, often associated with David's own musical talents. 3. The DawnRepresents a new beginning or a fresh start. In this context, it symbolizes hope and renewal through worship and praise. Teaching Points Awakening the SoulJust as David calls his soul to awaken, we must actively engage our hearts and minds in worship, especially during times of trouble. The Power of Music in WorshipMusic is a powerful tool for worship and can help lift our spirits and focus our hearts on God. Consider incorporating music into your daily devotional time. Starting the Day with PraiseBeginning each day with praise sets a positive tone and aligns our hearts with God's purposes. Make it a habit to start your day with a song or a prayer of thanksgiving. Hope and RenewalThe dawn represents new beginnings. No matter the challenges we face, God's mercies are new every morning, offering us hope and renewal. Active Participation in WorshipWorship is not passive. Like David, we should actively participate, using our talents and resources to glorify God. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's call to "awake" his soul and instruments inspire you to engage in worship, especially during difficult times? 2. In what ways can you incorporate music into your daily worship routine to help focus your heart on God? 3. Reflect on a time when starting your day with praise changed your perspective. How can you make this a consistent practice? 4. How does the concept of "awakening the dawn" with praise relate to the idea of God's mercies being new every morning? 5. What talents or resources do you have that you can use to actively participate in worship and glorify God? How can you start using them today? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 108:2This verse echoes the call to awaken the soul and instruments, emphasizing the importance of starting the day with praise. 1 Samuel 16:23Highlights David's skill with the harp and how his music brought relief to Saul, illustrating the power of music in worship and spiritual warfare. Lamentations 3:22-23Speaks of God's mercies being new every morning, connecting to the idea of awakening the dawn with praise. People David, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Awake, Awaken, Dawn, Early, Glory, Harp, Honour, Instruments, Lute, Lyre, Morning, Music, Myself, O, Psaltery, Soul, WakeDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 57:8 4918 dawn
5537 sleeplessness Psalm 57:7-8 5332 harp Psalm 57:8-9 7960 singing Library June 5. "My Heart is Fixed, O God" (Ps. Lvii. 7).
"My heart is fixed, O God" (Ps. lvii. 7). We do not always feel joyful, but we are always to count it joy. This word reckon is one of the keywords of Scripture. It is the same word used about our being dead. We are painfully conscious of something which would gladly return to life. But we are to treat ourselves as dead, and neither fear nor obey the old nature. So we are to reckon the thing that comes a blessing; we are determined to rejoice, to say, "My heart is fixed, Lord; I will sing and give …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth The Fixed Heart
'My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise.'--PSALM lvii. 7. It is easy to say such things when life goes smoothly with us. But this Psalmist, whether David or another, says this, and means it, when all things are dark and frowning around him. The superscription attributes the words to David himself, fleeing from Saul, and hiding in the cave. Whether that be so or no, the circumstances under which the Psalmist sings are obviously those of very great difficulty and oppression. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture January the Thirty-First under his Wings
"In the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge." --PSALM lvii. Could anything be more tenderly gracious than this figure of hiding under the shadow of God's wings? It speaks of bosom-warmth, and bosom-shelter, and bosom-rest. "Let me to Thy bosom fly!" And what strong wings they are! Under those wings I am secure even from the lions. My animal passions shall not hurt me when I am "hiding in God." The fiercest onslaughts of the devil are powerless to break those mighty wings. The tenderest little …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year Strong Faith in a Faithful God
DAVID was in the cave of Adullam. He had fled from Saul, his remorseless foe; and had found shelter in the clefts of the rock. In the beginning of this psalm he rings the alarm-bell, and very loud is the sound of it. "Be merciful unto me," and then the clapper hits the other side of the bell. "Be merciful unto me." He utters his misery again and again. "My soul trusteth in thee; yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast." Thus he solaces himself by …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 61: 1915 The Truth of God
The next attribute is God's truth. A God of truth and without iniquity; just and right is he.' Deut 32:4. For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.' Psa 57:10. Plenteous in truth.' Psa 86:15. I. God is the truth. He is true in a physical sense; true in his being: he has a real subsistence, and gives a being to others. He is true in a moral sense; he is true sine errore, without errors; et sine fallacia, without deceit. God is prima veritas, the pattern and prototype …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Mercy of God
The next attribute is God's goodness or mercy. Mercy is the result and effect of God's goodness. Psa 33:5. So then this is the next attribute, God's goodness or mercy. The most learned of the heathens thought they gave their god Jupiter two golden characters when they styled him good and great. Both these meet in God, goodness and greatness, majesty and mercy. God is essentially good in himself and relatively good to us. They are both put together in Psa 119:98. Thou art good, and doest good.' This …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Grace and Holiness.
"Now God Himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."--1 THESS. iii. 11-13. There are few more precious subjects for meditation and imitation than the prayers and intercessions of the great Apostle. …
W. H. Griffith Thomas—The Prayers of St. Paul Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life The Gospel Message, Good Tidings
[As it is written] How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! T he account which the Apostle Paul gives of his first reception among the Galatians (Galatians 4:15) , exemplifies the truth of this passage. He found them in a state of ignorance and misery; alienated from God, and enslaved to the blind and comfortless superstitions of idolatry. His preaching, accompanied with the power of the Holy Spirit, had a great and marvellous effect. …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 57:8 NIVPsalm 57:8 NLTPsalm 57:8 ESVPsalm 57:8 NASBPsalm 57:8 KJV
Psalm 57:8 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
