1 Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.
2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
1 [[To the chief Musician H5329 upon Jonathelemrechokim, H3128 Michtam H4387 of David, H1732 when the Philistines H6430 took H270 him in Gath.]] H1661 Be merciful H2603 unto me, O God: H430 for man H582 would swallow me up; H7602 he fighting H3898 daily H3117 oppresseth H3905 me.
2 Mine enemies H8324 would daily H3117 swallow H7602 me up: for they be many H7227 that fight H3898 against me, O thou most High. H4791
3 What time H3117 I am afraid, H3372 I will trust H982 in thee.
4 In God H430 I will praise H1984 his word, H1697 in God H430 I have put my trust; H982 I will not fear H3372 what flesh H1320 can do H6213 unto me.
1 Be merciful unto me, O God; for man would swallow me up: All the day long he fighting oppresseth me.
2 Mine enemies would swallow me up all the day long; For they are many that fight proudly against me.
3 What time I am afraid, I will put my trust in thee.
4 In God (I will praise his word), In God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid; What can flesh do unto me?
1 To the Overseer. -- `On the Dumb Dove far off.' -- A secret treasure of David, in the Philistines' taking hold of him in Gath. Favour me, O God, for man swallowed me up, All the day fighting he oppresseth me,
2 Mine enemies have swallowed up all the day, For many `are' fighting against me, O most High,
3 The day I am afraid I am confident toward Thee.
4 In God I praise His word, in God I have trusted, I fear not what flesh doth to me.
1 {To the chief Musician. On Jonathelem-rechokim. Of David. Michtam; when the Philistines took him in Gath.} Be gracious unto me, O God; for man would swallow me up: all the day long fighting he oppresseth me.
2 Mine enemies would swallow [me] up all the day long; for they are many that fight against me haughtily.
3 In the day that I am afraid, I will confide in thee.
4 In God will I praise his word, in God I put my confidence: I will not fear; what can flesh do unto me?
1 > Be merciful to me, God, for man wants to swallow me up. All day long, he attacks and oppresses me.
2 My enemies want to swallow me up all day long, For they are many who fight proudly against me.
3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.
4 In God, I praise his word. In God, I put my trust. I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?
1 <To the chief music-maker; put to Jonath elem rehokim. Of David. Michtam. When the Philistines took him in Gath.> Have mercy on me, O God, for man is attempting my destruction; every day he makes cruel attacks against me.
2 My haters are ever ready to put an end to me; great numbers are lifting themselves up against me.
3 In the time of my fear, I will have faith in you.
4 In God will I give praise to his word; in God have I put my hope; I will have no fear of what flesh may do to me.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 56
Commentary on Psalms 56 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 56
Ps 56:1-13. Upon Jonath-elem-rechokim—literally, "upon the dove of silence" of distant places; either denoting a melody (see on Ps 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.
1, 2. would swallow—literally, "pants as a raging beast" (Ac 9:1).
2. enemies—watchers (Ps 54:5).
most High—As it is not elsewhere used absolutely for God, some render the word here, arrogantly, or proudly, as qualifying "those who fight," &c.
3. in—or literally, "unto."
thee—to whom he turns in trouble.
4. in God … his word—By His grace or aid (Ps 60:12; 108:13), or, "I will boast in God as to His word"; in either case His word is the special matter and cause of praise.
flesh—for mankind (Ps 65:2; Isa 31:3), intimating frailty.
5, 6. A vivid picture of the conduct of malicious enemies.
7. Shall they escape? &c.—or better, "Their escape is by iniquity."
cast … people—humble those who so proudly oppose Thy servant.
8. God is mindful of his exile and remembers his tears. The custom of bottling the tears of mourners as a memorial, which has existed in some Eastern nations, may explain the figure.
9. God is for me—or, "on my side" (Ps 118:6; 124:1, 2); hence he is sure of the repulse of his foes.
12. I will render praises—will pay what I have vowed.
13. The question implies an affirmative answer, drawn from past experience.
falling—as from a precipice.
before God—in His favor during life.