Psalm 61 (summary): Hear my cry, O God!

David here (with stringed instruments) is either in exile ("from the ends of the earth") or in extreme distress. He says he calls to God for help as his heart grows faint asking to be led to the rock that is higher than I. He says God has been his refuge and that he longs to dwell in God's tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of his wings. He asks to be enthroned in God's presence for ever. Then he will sing praise to God's name. 

Psalm 60 (summary): You have rejected us, O God!

This Davidic psalm is a lament when he felt that God had rejected him and his people owing to a battle loss against Edom. David therefore asks for restoration in the face of what he sees as desperate times. He continues saying, "Save us and help us so that those you love can be delivered... give us aid against our enemy... with God we shall gain the victory"!

Psalm 59 (summary): Deliver me from my enemies, O God!

 David wrote this psalm when Saul had sent men to watch his house in order to kill him. "Deliver me from my enemies, O God", prayed David, "deliver me from evil doers... these bloodthirsty men lie in wait for me... I have done no wrong but they are ready to attack... O God show no mercy to wicked traitors"! These would-be assassins "snarl like dogs and prowl... spewing swords from their lips... but God laughs at them. You my loving God are my fortress... let these wicked men be caught in their pride... and it will be known that God rules"! "I will sing of your strength in the morning... for you are my fortress and refuge in times of trouble".

Psalm 58 (summary): Do rulers indeed speak justly?

Psalm 58 is an imprecatory prayer which invokes divine judgement on corrupt judges and unjust rulers. David asks: "Do you judge uprightly? No, in your heart you devise injustice... the wicked go astray from birth... their venom is like that of a snake... and it won't heed the tune of the snake charmer... break their teeth O God!...  Let them vanish like water flowing away down the river... let them be slugs melting away... the righteous will be glad when they bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked... for surely there is a God who judges the earth"! 

Psalm 57 (summary): Have mercy on me, O God!

 Psalm 57 was written by David when he was hiding in a cave sheltering from Saul and it is a prayer for protection and for God's help. "O God... I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings... he rebukes them who hotly pursue me... I am in the midst of lions... be exalted O God above the heavens". "They spread a net for my feet and dug a pit in my path, but they themselves have fallen into it." "My heart is steadfast, O God... awake my soul and praise God among the nations... for great is your love and glory"! 

Psalm 56 (summary): Be merciful to me, O God!

This another psalm by David was written when the Philistines had seized Him in Gath. David prays: "Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me... many are attacking me... but when I am afraid, I will trust in you". "All day long they twist my words... plotting to harm me... don't let them escape O God... record my lament... list my tears... in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? You have delivered my feet from stumbling that I may walk before God in the light of life"!

Psalm 55 (summary): Listen to my prayer, O God!

 Psalm 55 is a Davidic lament saying "hear me and answer me O God... I am distraught... by those who revile me in their anger". "Fear and trembling have beset me... oh for the wings, for the wings of a dove and I would fly away and be at rest"! "Confuse and confound the wicked O Lord... day and night they prowl after me". What especially upsets David is that it a close friend and companion (maybe Absalom) who is persecuting and betraying him. "Let death take my enemies... I call on God to save me... he ransoms me unharmed from the battle... my close friend has speech as smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart." "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you... but you O God  will bring down the wicked".