Psalm 57 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Disparate in this chapter: 57:5
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Psalm 57
Awakening the dawn
Verse 57:1 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[57:1] For the director. “Do not destroy.” Of David. A Miktam, when he fled from Saul in the cave.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[56:1] For the end. Do not destroy. Of David, for an inscription on a pillar, when he escaped from Saul's presence into the cave.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Miktam becomes pillar inscription; Hebrew in the cave becomes Greek into it.
Verse 57:2 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[57:2] Be gracious to me, God, be gracious to me,
for my soul has taken refuge in You;
in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge
until destruction passes.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[56:2] Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me,
for my soul has trusted in You;
in the shadow of Your wings I will hope
until lawlessness passes.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew destruction becomes Greek lawlessness; refuge becomes trust and hope.
Verse 57:3 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[57:3] I will call to God Most High,
to God who fulfills His purpose for me.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[56:3] I will cry to God Most High,
to God who has done good to me.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew completing or fulfilling for the speaker becomes Greek past benefaction. The object His purpose supplies the compressed Hebrew sense and is not an additional source noun.
Verse 57:4 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[57:4] He will send from heaven and save me;
He reproaches the one panting to swallow me. Selah.
God will send His steadfast love and His faithfulness.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[56:4] He sent from heaven and saved me;
He gave those trampling me over to reproach. Diapsalma.
God sent His mercy and His truth
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew future sending and a singular pursuer become past Greek sending and plural tramplers; Greek continues into the next unit.
Verse 57:5 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[57:5] My soul is among lions;
I lie down among those burning with rage—
human beings whose teeth are spear and arrows,
and whose tongue is a sharp sword.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[56:5] and rescued my soul from among young lions.
I lay down troubled.
Sons of humankind—their teeth are a weapon and arrows,
and their tongue a sharp sword.
Classification & Notes
Disparate. Text: Hebrew remains among lions and burning adversaries; Greek explicitly reports rescue from young lions and troubled sleep. Hebrew burning is rendered contextually as rage, pending lexical review. Category basis: The speaker still being among lions becomes an explicit accomplished rescue from them. This changes the narrated outcome, beyond a simple additional phrase.
Verse 57:6 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[57:6] Be exalted above the heavens, God;
let Your glory be above all the earth.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[56:6] Be exalted above the heavens, God,
and Your glory above all the earth.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: The exaltation agrees.
Verse 57:7 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[57:7] They prepared a net for my steps;
he bowed my soul down.
They dug a pit before me;
they fell into it. Selah.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[56:7] They prepared a trap for my feet
and bowed my soul down;
they dug a pit before me
and fell into it. Diapsalma.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: The Hebrew bowing verb is singular among plural verbs; Greek is consistently plural. The unnamed Hebrew subject remains explicit rather than silently correcting the number.
Verse 57:8 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[57:8] My heart is steadfast, God; my heart is steadfast.
I will sing and make music.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[56:8] My heart is ready, God; my heart is ready.
I will sing and make music.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Steadfastness becomes readiness.
Verse 57:9 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[57:9] Awake, my glory; awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[56:9] Awake, my glory; awake, psaltery and lyre!
I will awake at dawn.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew awakens the dawn; Greek wakes at dawn.
Verse 57:10 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[57:10] I will thank You among peoples, Lord;
I will make music to You among nations.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[56:10] I will give thanks to You among peoples, Lord;
I will make music to You among nations,
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: The public thanksgiving agrees.
Verse 57:11 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[57:11] For Your steadfast love is great to the heavens,
and Your faithfulness to the clouds.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[56:11] for Your mercy was magnified to the heavens,
and Your truth to the clouds.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The extent of divine love and truth agrees.
Verse 57:12 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[57:12] Be exalted above the heavens, God;
let Your glory be above all the earth.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[56:12] Be exalted above the heavens, God,
and Your glory above all the earth.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: The refrain agrees.