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

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Context
Psalm 56
56:1 For the music director; according to the yonath-elem-rechovim style; a prayer of David, written when the Philistines captured him in Gath. Have mercy on me, O God, for men are attacking me! All day long hostile enemies are tormenting me. 56:2 Those who anticipate my defeat attack me all day long. Indeed, many are fighting against me, O Exalted One.
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Names, People and Places:
 · David a son of Jesse of Judah; king of Israel,son of Jesse of Judah; king of Israel
 · Gath a town of the Anakim and Philistines in Judah 12 km south. of Ekron
 · Miktam a literary or musical term (NIV margin)
 · Philistines a sea people coming from Crete in 1200BC to the coast of Canaan


Dictionary Themes and Topics: War | SONG | Psalms | PSALMS, BOOK OF | Nob | Music | Michtam | Jonath-elem-rechokim | JONATH ELEM REHOKIM | Gath | GOD, NAMES OF | David | Afflictions and Adversities | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , Maclaren , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Keil-Delitzsch , Constable

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Commentary -- 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 56:1-2 - -- Literally, "pants as a raging beast" (Act 9:1).

Literally, "pants as a raging beast" (Act 9:1).

JFB: Psa 56:2 - -- Watchers (Psa 54:5).

Watchers (Psa 54:5).

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 - מרום marom . I do not think that this word expresses any attribute of God, or indeed is at all addressed to him. It signifies, literally, from on high, or froen a high or elevated place: "For the multitudes fight against me from the high or elevated place;"the place of authority - the court and cabinet of Saul

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 - -- 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 שאף , shaaph, to regard, but it is more properly rendered to swallow up, a strong expression, denoting the insatiable rage with which they assailed him. I have adhered to the common translation of לחם , lacham, though it also signifies to eat up, which might consist better with the metaphor already used in the preceding part of the verse. It is found, however, in the sense to fight against, and I was unwilling to depart from the received rendering. I shall only observe in passing, that those who read in the second member of the verse, many fighting with me, as if he alluded to the assistance of angels, mistake the meaning of the passage; for it is evident that he uses the language of complaint throughout the verse.

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...

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...

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Commentary -- 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 - מרום mârôm - means properly height, altitude, elevation; then, a high place, especially heaven, Psa 18:16; Isa 24:18, Isa 24:21; then it is applied to anything high or inaccessible, as a fortress, Isa 26:5. It is supposed by Gesenius (Lexicon), and some others, to mean here "elation of mind, pride,"- implying that his enemies fought against him with elated minds, or proudly. So the Septuagint, the Vulgate, and Luther render it; and so DeWette understands it. Yet it seems most probable that our translators have given the correct rendering, and that the passage is a solemn appeal to God as more exalted than his foes, and as one, therefore, in whom he could put entire confidence. Compare Psa 92:8; Psa 93:4,; Mic 6:6.

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.

Haydock: Psa 56:1 - -- The prophet prays in his affliction, and praises God for his delivery.

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 מרום, "marom", is an epithet of God, as in Psa 92:8; and so it is interpreted by Jarchi and Kimchi; and also by the Targum, which renders it, O God most High; and adds,

"whose throne is on high;''

which is approved by Gussetius s.

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Commentary -- 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 "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 ) ...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

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 - --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 - --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 - -- 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 - -- 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...

Constable: Psa 56:1-6 - --1. The opposition of ungodly enemies 56:1-7 56:1-2 David began this prayer with a call for divine help and an explanation of why he needed it. His ene...

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Introduction / Outline

JFB: Psalms (Book Introduction) The Hebrew title of this book is Tehilim ("praises" or "hymns"), for a leading feature in its contents is praise, though the word occurs in the title ...

JFB: Psalms (Outline) ALEPH. (Psa 119:1-8). This celebrated Psalm has several peculiarities. It is divided into twenty-two parts or stanzas, denoted by the twenty-two let...

TSK: Psalms (Book Introduction) The Psalms have been the general song of the universal Church; and in their praise, all the Fathers have been unanimously eloquent. Men of all nation...

TSK: Psalms 56 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Psa 56:1, David, praying to God in confidence of his word, complains of his enemies; Psa 56:9, He professes his confidence in God’s wor...

Poole: Psalms (Book Introduction) OF PSALMS THE ARGUMENT The divine authority of this Book of PSALMS is so certain and evident, that it was never questioned in the church; which b...

MHCC: Psalms (Book Introduction) David was the penman of most of the psalms, but some evidently were composed by other writers, and the writers of some are doubtful. But all were writ...

MHCC: Psalms 56 (Chapter Introduction) (Psa 56:1-7) David seeks mercy from God, amidst the malice of his enemies. (Psa 56:8-13) He rests his faith on God's promises, and declares his oblig...

Matthew Henry: Psalms (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Book of Psalms We have now before us one of the choicest and most excellent parts of all the Old Te...

Matthew Henry: Psalms 56 (Chapter Introduction) It seems by this, and many other psalms, that even in times of the greatest trouble and distress David never hung his harp upon the willow-trees, n...

Constable: Psalms (Book Introduction) Introduction Title The title of this book in the Hebrew Bible is Tehillim, which means...

Constable: Psalms (Outline) Outline I. Book 1: chs. 1-41 II. Book 2: chs. 42-72 III. Book 3: chs. 73...

Constable: Psalms Psalms Bibliography Allen, Ronald B. "Evidence from Psalm 89." In A Case for Premillennialism: A New Consensus,...

Haydock: Psalms (Book Introduction) THE BOOK OF PSALMS. INTRODUCTION. The Psalms are called by the Hebrew, Tehillim; that is, hymns of praise. The author, of a great part of ...

Gill: Psalms (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO PSALMS The title of this book may be rendered "the Book of Praises", or "Hymns"; the psalm which our Lord sung at the passover is c...

Gill: Psalms 56 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 56 To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David when the Philistines took him in Gath. The words "jonathel...

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