
Text -- Psalms 56:1-2 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
JFB: Psa 56:1-2 - -- Upon Jonath-elem-rechokim--literally, "upon the dove of silence" of distant places; either denoting a melody (see on Psa 9:1) of that name, to which t...
Upon Jonath-elem-rechokim--literally, "upon the dove of silence" of distant places; either denoting a melody (see on Psa 9:1) of that name, to which this Psalm was to be performed; or it is an enigmatical form of denoting the subject, as given in the history referred to (1Sa 21:11, &c.), David being regarded as an uncomplaining, meek dove, driven from his native home to wander in exile. Beset by domestic and foreign foes, David appeals confidently to God, recites his complaints, and closes with joyful and assured anticipations of God's continued help. (Psa 56:1-13)

JFB: Psa 56:2 - -- As it is not elsewhere used absolutely for God, some render the word here, arrogantly, or proudly, as qualifying "those who fight," &c.
As it is not elsewhere used absolutely for God, some render the word here, arrogantly, or proudly, as qualifying "those who fight," &c.
Clarke: Psa 56:1 - -- Be merciful unto me - I am assailed both at home and abroad. I can go nowhere without meeting with enemies: unless thou who art the Fountain of merc...
Be merciful unto me - I am assailed both at home and abroad. I can go nowhere without meeting with enemies: unless thou who art the Fountain of mercy and the Most High, stand up in my behalf, my enemies will most undoubtedly prevail against me. They fight against me continually, and I am in the utmost danger of being swallowed up by them.

Clarke: Psa 56:2 - -- O thou Most High - מרום marom . I do not think that this word expresses any attribute of God, or indeed is at all addressed to him. It signifi...
O thou Most High -
Most of the Versions begin the next verse with this word: "From the light of the day, though I fear, yet will I trust in thee."From the time that persecution waxes hot against me, though I often am seized with fear, yet I am enabled to maintain my trust in thee. Dr. Kennicott thinks there is a corruption here, and proposes to read: "I look upwards all the day long."
Calvin -> Psa 56:1
Calvin: Psa 56:1 - -- 1.Be merciful unto me, O God! for man swallows me up 330 It would be difficult to determine whether he speaks here of foreign or domestic enemies. Wh...
1.Be merciful unto me, O God! for man swallows me up 330 It would be difficult to determine whether he speaks here of foreign or domestic enemies. When brought to King Achish he was as a sheep between two bands of wolves, an object of deadly hatred to the Philistines on the one hand, and exposed to equal persecutions from his own fellow-countrymen. He uses the indefinite term man in this verse, though in the next he speaks of having many enemies, the more forcibly to express the truth that the whole world was combined against him, that he experienced no humanity amongst men, and stood in the last necessity of divine help. The term daily would suggest that he refers more immediately to Saul and his faction. But in general, he deplores the wretchedness of his fate in being beset with adversaries so numerous and so barbarous. Some translate
TSK: Psa 56:1 - -- Michtam : or, a golden Psalm, Psa 16:1, Psa 57:1, Psa 58:1, Psa 59:1, Psa 60:1 *titles
when : 1Sa 21:11-15, 1Sa 29:4
Be : Psa 31:9, Psa 57:1-3, Psa 59...
Michtam : or, a golden Psalm, Psa 16:1, Psa 57:1, Psa 58:1, Psa 59:1, Psa 60:1 *titles
when : 1Sa 21:11-15, 1Sa 29:4
Be : Psa 31:9, Psa 57:1-3, Psa 59:10, Psa 69:13-16, Psa 136:10, Psa 136:15, Psa 136:17-20, Psa 143:12
swallow : Psa 21:9, Psa 27:2, Psa 35:25, Psa 57:3, Psa 106:17, Psa 124:3; Pro 1:12; Lam 2:2, Lam 2:5, Lam 2:16; Hos 8:8; 1Co 15:54

TSK: Psa 56:2 - -- enemies : Heb. observers, Psa 54:5
many : Psa 3:1, Psa 118:10-12; Act 4:25-27; Rev 16:14
most : Psa 9:2, Psa 91:1, Psa 92:1, Psa 92:8, Psa 93:4; Isa 5...

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes: Psa 56:1 - -- Be merciful unto me, O God - See the notes at Psa 51:1. For man would swallow me up - The word used here means properly to breathe hard; ...
Be merciful unto me, O God - See the notes at Psa 51:1.
For man would swallow me up - The word used here means properly to breathe hard; to pant; to blow hard; and then, to pant after, to yawn after with open mouth. The idea is, that people came upon him everywhere with open mouth, as if they would swallow him down whole. He found no friend in man - in any man. Everywhere his life was sought. There was no "man,"wherever he might go, on whom he could rely, or whom he could trust; and his only refuge, therefore, was in God.
He fighting daily - Constantly; without intermission. That is, all people seemed to be at war with him, and to pursue him always.
Oppresseth me - Presses hard upon me; so presses on me as always to endanger my life, and so that I feel no security anywhere.

Barnes: Psa 56:2 - -- Mine enemies - Margin, "mine observers."The Hebrew word here used means properly to twist, to twist totogether; then, to be firm, hard, tough; ...
Mine enemies - Margin, "mine observers."The Hebrew word here used means properly to twist, to twist totogether; then, to be firm, hard, tough; then, "to press together,"as a rope that is twisted - and hence, the idea of oppressing, or pressing hard on one, as an enemy. See Psa 27:11; Psa 54:5. In the former verse the psalmist spoke of an enemy, or of "one"that would swallow him up (in the singular number), or of "man"as an enemy to him anywhere. Here he uses the plural number, implying that there were "many"who were enlisted against him. He was surrounded by enemies. He met them wherever he went. He had an enemy in Saul; he had enemies in the followers of Saul; he had enemies among the Philistines, and now when he had fled to Achish, king of Gath, and had hoped to find a refuge and a friend there, he found only bitter foes.
Would daily swallow me up - Constantly; their efforts to do it are unceasing. A new day brings no relief to me, but every day I am called to meet some new form of opposition.
For they be many that fight against me - His own followers and friends were few; his foes were many. Saul had numerous followers, and David encountered foes wherever he went. "O thou Most High."The word used here -
Poole: Psa 56:1 - -- Jonath-elem-reehokim is supposed to be the name of a song; but many render it, as the words signify, concerning the dumb dove afar off ; all which a...
Jonath-elem-reehokim is supposed to be the name of a song; but many render it, as the words signify, concerning the dumb dove afar off ; all which agrees very well to David in his present circumstances. He calls himself a dove for his innocency, and folly (which is ascribed to the dove, Hos 7:11 ) in casting himself into this snare; and for his vexation and persecution by his enemies, those birds of prey; and for his sad and mournful posture. Silent he was, and it was his prudence so to be in this place and condition; and he was in a place remote enough from his father’ s house, and from God’ s sanctuary, where his heart was.
When the Philistines took him in Gath when being chased by Saul’ s restless malice, he had put himself into the hands and power of the Philistines at Gath; where when he was the following meditations came into his mind, which after his escape he digested into this order and Psalm.
David, praying to God, complaineth of his sufferings, and magnifieth his word, Psa 56:1-10 ; is confident of God’ s fulfilling it, and promiseth to praise him for it, Psa 56:11-13 .
Man i.e. men, weak and miserable men, as the word signifies, whom thou canst crush in an instant; Saul and his courtiers, who have driven me hither; and now Achish and the Philistines, who have oft sought my ruin, which now they have opportunity to effect.
Would swallow me up like wild and ravenous beasts, rather than men. Heb. hath swallowed me up . The thing is begun, and in a manner done, if thou dost not miraculously prevent it.

Poole: Psa 56:2 - -- Mine enemies Heb. my observers , that narrowly look to all my paths, and watch for my haltings, and for an opportunity to destroy me.
Many that fig...
Mine enemies Heb. my observers , that narrowly look to all my paths, and watch for my haltings, and for an opportunity to destroy me.
Many that fight against me: they trust to their great numbers, wherein they know themselves to be much superior to me.
O thou Most High who from thine high place beholdest all their plots, and canst most easily disturb and blast them.
The prophet prays in his affliction, and praises God for his delivery.

Haydock: Psa 56:1 - -- Destroy not. Suffer me not to be destroyed, (Challoner; Menochius) or I will not allow my men to destroy an implacable foe, (Haydock) as they entrea...
Destroy not. Suffer me not to be destroyed, (Challoner; Menochius) or I will not allow my men to destroy an implacable foe, (Haydock) as they entreat me to do. This conduct is worthy of eternal memory. (Worthington) ---
The words may also be an admonition to the reader, not to alter this piece, Apocalypse xxii. 18. (Calmet) ---
Al tashcheth, (or thosseth.; Haydock) is supposed to be an instrument, or a favourite song, such as that of Moses, (Deuteronomy ix. 26.) which begins thus. But the point is uncertain. The same words occur, Psalm lviii., lix., (Berthier) and lxxiv. They are put in the mouth of Christ suffering, by St. Hilary, &c. ---
Cave of Odollam, or rather of Engaddi. (Calmet)

Haydock: Psa 56:2 - -- In thee. This obliges God to take pity, Psalm xlvi. 11. ---
Wings, as a chicken retires to the hen, Ruth ii. 12., and Matthew xxiii. 37.
In thee. This obliges God to take pity, Psalm xlvi. 11. ---
Wings, as a chicken retires to the hen, Ruth ii. 12., and Matthew xxiii. 37.
Gill: Psa 56:1 - -- Be merciful unto me, O God,.... For David could expect no mercy at the hands of men, among whom he was, whose tender mercies were cruel; he being at G...
Be merciful unto me, O God,.... For David could expect no mercy at the hands of men, among whom he was, whose tender mercies were cruel; he being at Gath, the city of Goliath, whom he had slain, and whose sword he had now with him; and among his brethren and friends, who he might justly fear would revenge his death upon him: wherefore he betakes himself to God, and pleads not any merit or righteousness of his own, but implores the grace and mercy of God; and he might expect to find grace and mercy in this his time of need, since there is mercy with the Lord; he is plenteous in it, distributes it freely, delights in so doing, and does it constantly; his mercy endures for ever, it is from everlasting to everlasting on them that fear him;
for man would swallow me up; the Targum renders it "isbi", a wicked man: it may be understood of some one man, some great man, as Achish king of Gath; or rather Saul king of Israel, who breathed and panted after his ruin and destruction, as the word p, signifies; who sought to eat up his flesh, to take away his life, and utterly ruin him: or collectively of many, since it appears, by the following verse, that he had many enemies who were desirous to swallow him up. This he mentions as an aggravation of his distress, and as a reason why he hoped the Lord would be merciful to him; and that he, being God, would not suffer than to prevail; see 2Ch 14:12;
he fighting daily oppresseth me; this shows that Saul is more especially intended, who was continually with his army pursuing him, and sometimes surrounded him and his men, and reduced him to great distress. This may be applied to the old man, the corruptions of nature, and the lusts of the flesh, which are continually warring against the soul, oppress it, bring it into captivity, and threaten to swallow it up.

Gill: Psa 56:2 - -- Mine enemies would daily swallow me up,.... For not one man only, but many, were his enemies; who observed and watched him, and were eagerly desirous...
Mine enemies would daily swallow me up,.... For not one man only, but many, were his enemies; who observed and watched him, and were eagerly desirous of his ruin. The believer has many enemies, sin, Satan, and the world, seeking to devour and destroy him, though they cannot;
for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High; he appeals to God, who dwells on high, and sees all things, for the truth of this, that he had many enemies both at Gath and in Israel; as well as applies to him for help, he being higher than they. Some render the words, "for they be many that fight against me from on high" q, or "highly" r, proudly and haughtily. Aben Ezra gives a very different sense,
"I have many angels on high that fight for me.''
But
"whose throne is on high;''
which is approved by Gussetius s.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes: Psa 56:1 The imperfect verbal form draws attention to the continuing nature of the enemies’ attacks.

NET Notes: Psa 56:2 Some take the Hebrew term מָרוֹם (marom, “on high; above”) as an adverb modifying the preceding partic...
Geneva Bible -> Psa 56:1
Geneva Bible: Psa 56:1 "To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, ( a ) when the Philistines took him in Gath." Be merciful unto me, O God: for ( b ) ...

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Psa 56:1-13
TSK Synopsis: Psa 56:1-13 - --1 David, praying to God in confidence of his word, complains of his enemies.9 He professes his confidence in God's word, and promises to praise him.
Maclaren -> Psa 56:2-3
Maclaren: Psa 56:2-3 - --Fear And Faith
What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee. 4. In God I have put my trust: I will not fear.'--Psalm 56:3-4.
IT is not given to many m...
MHCC -> Psa 56:1-7
MHCC: Psa 56:1-7 - --Be merciful unto me, O God. This petition includes all the good for which we come to throne of grace. If we obtain mercy there, we need no more to mak...
Matthew Henry -> Psa 56:1-7
Matthew Henry: Psa 56:1-7 - -- David, in this psalm, by his faith throws himself into the hands of God, even when he had by his fear and folly thrown himself into the hands of the...
Keil-Delitzsch -> Psa 56:1-4
Keil-Delitzsch: Psa 56:1-4 - --
אלהים and אנושׁ , Psa 56:2 (Psa 9:20; Psa 10:18), are antitheses: over against God, the majestic One, men are feeble beings. Their rebell...
Constable: Psa 42:1--72:20 - --II. Book 2: chs. 42--72
In Book 1 we saw that all the psalms except 1, 2, 10, and 33 claimed David as their writ...

Constable: Psa 56:1-13 - --Psalm 56
David wrote this psalm when the Philistines seized him in Gath (1 Sam. 21:10; cf. Ps. 34). He c...
