Psalm 57 (56):12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Grateful for His blessings, let us recite the concluding verses of the psalm that I previously mentioned: “Above the heavens, O God, and above all the earth is Thy glory.” This declaration was made by the Prophet long ago; now we bear witness to its truth, and so we shall proclaim it as well.

Once the truth was unveiled through the spiritual clouds, signifying the Prophets and Apostles, the Sovereign Lord of all, the Maker of the heavens and the earth, was likewise made known, as all of creation, on land and sea, echoed a song from humanity.

David joyfully reiterates what he previously stated, as explained above. Theodoret notes that when the truth was unveiled through the spiritual messengers, namely the prophets and apostles, the Lord of all creation was established as the supreme Creator of heaven and earth, and began to receive adoration from people across the land and the sea.

Since he stated that the mercy and truth of the Lord reach unto the heavens, it is appropriate to also reference the earth, demonstrating that their vastness is not confined to the heavens but encompasses the earth as well.

After cleverly evading the Philistines, David sought refuge in the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22:1) to escape from Saul. The psalm encapsulates the emotions and reflections that filled his heart during that period. Some interpretations appear to inaccurately link it to his time in the cave of Engedi (1 Samuel 24ff.). The expression, "May ye not molest - destroy not (al tashkhet)," likely emphasizes the psalm's central theme—a plea for the preservation of life; alternatively, it could be rendered as "through (the song of) al tashkhet." The Hebrew text of this psalm presents notable challenges for interpretation; the parallel structure is more clearly defined in the LXX than in the Hebrew version. This seems to occur in the evening, as he prepares for rest.

Some interpret the phrase "thou shalt not harm" as originating from an ancient song that commences with this declaration. It is suggested that these psalms of David, which carry the title "thou shalt not harm," should be chanted similarly. More importantly, consider that while David was hiding in a cave from Saul and facing grave peril, he earnestly prayed to God, asking that he be prevented from harming or killing Saul. His own conscience, troubled by the thought of wrongdoing, restrained him from taking such actions and he sought to deter others from doing the same, despite having numerous opportunities to end Saul’s life. Such restraint is noble enough to be commemorated as a lasting testament.