What does Psalm 57:8 mean?

When David wrote Psalm 57, his circumstances were drab and dangerous. He was hiding in a cave from King Saul and his forces (1 Samuel 19:1–2; 22:1; 24:2–3). It must have been difficult to sleep, knowing his enemy was pressing down upon him (Psalm 57:1–5). He felt the pressure of anxiety and stress on his soul, as if he were bending under a heavy weight (Psalm 57:6). And yet, David resolves with his entire heart to faithfully praise and sing to God (Psalm 57:7).

Calling on someone or something to "awake" does not necessarily mean rousing it from sleep. The Hebrew root word literally refers to opening the eyes. But it can also mean to stir or act (Judges 5:12). David's comment about dawn likely means he intends to rise early, using all his musical and spiritual energies (Psalm 16:9). Although David was a king, poet, and warrior, he was also a musician. Before Saul sought to kill him, he had played the lyre in Saul's court (1 Samuel 16:23). Although the New Testament does not specify musical instruments to be associated with public worship, it does exhort Christians to sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in their hearts to God (Colossians 3:16). Like David, Christians can greet every morning with joyful praise.