Psalm 57:9
I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing Your praises among the peoples.
I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations
This phrase begins with a declaration of intent to praise God. The Hebrew word for "praise" is "yadah," which conveys a sense of giving thanks or confessing. It is an active expression of gratitude and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and goodness. The psalmist, David, is not content to keep his praise private; he desires to proclaim God's greatness "among the nations." This reflects a missional aspect of worship, where the knowledge of God is not confined to Israel but is intended to reach all peoples. Historically, this aligns with God's covenant with Abraham, where all nations would be blessed through his descendants (Genesis 12:3). David's vision of worship is expansive, anticipating the Great Commission in the New Testament, where Jesus commands His followers to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).

I will sing Your praises among the peoples
The act of singing is a powerful form of worship, and the Hebrew word "zamar" used here implies making music or singing psalms. Singing is a universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, making it an effective means of declaring God's glory. The phrase "among the peoples" reiterates the psalmist's desire for God's fame to spread beyond the borders of Israel. In the historical context, Israel was surrounded by nations with their own gods and religious practices. By singing God's praises among them, David is asserting the supremacy of Yahweh over all other deities. This is a prophetic foreshadowing of the inclusion of Gentiles into the people of God, as seen in the New Testament, where the gospel is preached to both Jews and Gentiles alike (Acts 10:34-35). The psalmist's commitment to public worship serves as an inspiration for believers today to boldly declare their faith in diverse and pluralistic societies.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The author of Psalm 57, David is expressing his trust and praise to God despite being pursued by Saul. This psalm is a reflection of his faith and reliance on God during times of distress.

2. The Nations
Refers to the Gentiles or non-Israelite peoples. David's intention to praise God among the nations signifies the universal scope of God's glory and the call for all people to recognize His sovereignty.

3. The Peoples
This term is often used to denote various groups or tribes, emphasizing the inclusivity of God's praise beyond just the nation of Israel.

4. Cave of Adullam
While not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of Psalm 57 is linked to David's time hiding in the cave of Adullam, a place of refuge during his flight from Saul.

5. Saul's Pursuit
The backdrop of this psalm is Saul's relentless pursuit of David, which serves as a catalyst for David's deepened trust and worship of God.
Teaching Points
Universal Praise
God's glory is not confined to one nation or people. As believers, we are called to declare His greatness to all the earth.

Praise in Adversity
Like David, we should cultivate a heart of worship even in difficult circumstances, trusting in God's deliverance and faithfulness.

Missionary Impulse
This verse encourages a missionary mindset, urging us to share the gospel and God's praises with all nations and peoples.

Personal Worship
Our personal relationship with God should naturally overflow into public praise, impacting those around us.

Faith in Action
David's commitment to praise God among the nations is a call to live out our faith boldly and visibly.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does David's commitment to praise God among the nations challenge our own approach to worship and evangelism today?

2. In what ways can we incorporate praise into our daily lives, especially during times of personal trials?

3. How does the context of David's life, particularly his time in the cave, enhance our understanding of his declaration in Psalm 57:9?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure that our praise of God reaches beyond our immediate community to the "nations" and "peoples"?

5. How does the New Testament use of Psalm 57:9 in Romans 15:9 expand our understanding of God's plan for both Jews and Gentiles?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 18:49
This verse echoes the theme of praising God among the nations, highlighting the consistency of David's desire to exalt God universally.

Romans 15:9
Paul references this psalm to illustrate the inclusion of the Gentiles in God's plan of salvation, showing the fulfillment of David's prophetic praise.

1 Samuel 22:1-2
Provides the historical context of David's time in the cave, where he composed several psalms, including Psalm 57.
Christ Our RefugeL. Shorey.Psalm 57:1-11
Expectation and Assurance of DeliveranceC. Short Psalm 57:1-11
One of God's RescuesW. Forsyth Psalm 57:1-11
Sorrowful, Yet Always RejoicingJ. Stalker, D. D.Psalm 57:1-11
Spiritual ExperimentalismHomilistPsalm 57:1-11
Exemplary PraiseAnon.Psalm 57:9-11
People
David, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Nations, O, Peoples, Praise, Praises, Psalms, Sing, Songs, Thank, Thanks
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 57:9

     7949   mission, of Israel
     8630   worship, results

Psalm 57:8-9

     7960   singing

Psalm 57:9-10

     8665   praise, reasons

Psalm 57:9-11

     5849   exaltation

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

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