Footnotes

1. Psalm 57:1 The psalmist pictures evildoers like lions tearing away at him and ravaging his reputation. It is altogether natural for him, then, to call upon God to come in power to chastise the enemy and establish his kingdom on earth. A second tableau ends the psalm: the believer sings of God’s deliverance, which comes like a dawn in the midst of the night of danger. Part of this psalm is duplicated in Ps 108 (57:8-12 is the same as 108:2-6).
   This supplication may be justly applied to Christ during his whole public life and Passion. Surrounded and attacked by his enemies, he seeks refuge in his Father, who cannot abandon him. It can also fittingly be applied to us who are constantly threatened by our spiritual enemies.
2. Psalm 57:1 For the director: these words are thought to be a musical or liturgical notation. According to “Do not destroy”: probably a note by an early scribe intended to prevent his manuscript from being discarded. Miktam: see note on Ps 16:1. For the event, see 1 Sam 24:1-3.