He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.

PSALMS 57:3KJV
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Psalms 57:3 (KJV)

What does Psalms 57:3 mean?

Psalms 57:3 expresses the speaker’s confidence that God will rescue him from an enemy who threatens and insults him. The speaker expects help to come from heaven, and he describes God’s response in terms of mercy and truth.

The phrase “swallow me up” pictures the enemy as a creature ready to devour its prey. The speaker presents the danger as both a threat to his life and a source of reproach, or insults.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 57:3

  • “mercy” — חֶסֶד (ḥesed): This word often carries the sense of loyal kindness. It can describe kindness that continues rather than disappearing when trouble comes.
  • “truth” — אֱמֶת (emet): This word can mean truth, faithfulness, or reliability. Alongside “mercy,” it points to dependability as well as kindness.
  • “Selah” — סֶלָה (selah): This is a term found in psalms, though its exact meaning is uncertain. Its placement marks a break between the words about the enemy and the words about God’s mercy and truth.

Why Psalms 57:3 matters

  • The rescue is presented as coming from God, not merely from a change in the enemy’s behavior. The verse begins, “He shall send from heaven, and save me.”
  • The speaker’s confidence has a basis beyond escape alone. By naming God’s “mercy” and “truth,” he points to the kind of help he expects God to send.

Where else these words appear

“up” Hebrew H7602 · used in 14 verses

  • Job 5:5 Whose harvest the hungry eateth up, and taketh it even out of the thorns, and the robber swalloweth up their substance.
  • Psalms 56:2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
  • Jeremiah 2:24 A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.

“reproach” Hebrew H2778 · used in 40 verses

  • Leviticus 19:20 And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.
  • 2 Kings 19:23 By thy messengers thou hast reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, and into the forest of his Carmel.
  • Psalms 102:8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.

“Selah” Hebrew H5542 · used in 74 verses

  • Psalms 3:2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
  • Psalms 49:15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.
  • Psalms 76:9 When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.

“truth” Hebrew H571 · used in 125 verses

  • Genesis 24:27 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.
  • Psalms 26:3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
  • Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.