For the music director; according to the yonath-elem-rechovim style; 2 a prayer 3 of David, written when the Philistines captured him in Gath. 4
56:1 Have mercy on me, O God, for men are attacking me! 5
All day long hostile enemies 6 are tormenting me. 7
For the music director; according to the shushan-eduth style; 9 a prayer 10 of David written to instruct others. 11 It was written when he fought against Aram Naharaim and Aram-Zobah. That was when Joab turned back and struck down 12 12,000 Edomites 13 in the Valley of Salt. 14
60:1 O God, you have rejected us. 15
You suddenly turned on us in your anger. 16
Please restore us! 17
1 sn Psalm 56. Despite the threats of his enemies, the psalmist is confident the Lord will keep his promise to protect and deliver him.
2 tn The literal meaning of this phrase is “silent dove, distant ones.” Perhaps it refers to a particular style of music, a tune title, or a type of musical instrument.
3 tn The precise meaning of the Hebrew word מִכְתָּם (miktam), which also appears in the heading to Pss 16 and 57-60 is uncertain. HALOT 582-83 s.v. defines it as “inscription.”
4 sn According to the superscription, David wrote this psalm when the Philistines seized him and took him to King Achish of Gath (see 1 Sam 21:11-15).
5 tn According to BDB 983 s.v. II שָׁאַף, the verb is derived from שָׁאַף (sha’af, “to trample, crush”) rather than the homonymic verb “pant after.”
6 tn Heb “a fighter.” The singular is collective for his enemies (see vv. 5-6). The Qal of לָחַם (lakham, “fight”) also occurs in Ps 35:1.
7 tn The imperfect verbal form draws attention to the continuing nature of the enemies’ attacks.
8 sn Psalm 60. The psalmist grieves over Israel’s humiliation, but in response to God’s assuring word, he asks for divine help in battle and expresses his confidence in victory.
9 tn The Hebrew expression means “lily of the testimony.” It may refer to a particular music style or to a tune title.
10 tn The precise meaning of the Hebrew word מִכְתָּם (miktam), which also appears in the heading to Pss 16, 56-59, is uncertain. HALOT 582-83 s.v. defines it as “inscription.”
11 tn Heb “to teach.”
12 tn In Josh 8:21 and Judg 20:48 the two verbs “turn back” and “strike down” are also juxtaposed. There they refer to a military counter-attack.
13 tn Heb “12,000 of Edom.” Perhaps one should read אֲרַם (’aram, “Aram”) here rather than אֱדוֹם (’edom, “Edom”).
14 sn The heading apparently refers to the military campaign recorded in 2 Sam 10 and 1 Chr 19.
15 sn You have rejected us. See Pss 43:2; 44:9, 23.
16 tn Heb “you broke out upon us, you were angry.”
17 tn The imperfect verbal form here expresses the psalmist’s wish or prayer.