Psalms 56
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Psalms 56
Be Merciful Unto Me, O God; Man Would Swallow Me Up
1Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
PSALM 56
Psa 56:1-13. 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.
1-2. would swallow--literally, "pants as a raging beast" (Ac 9:1).
PSALM 56
Psa 56:1-13. 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.
1-2. would swallow--literally, "pants as a raging beast" (Ac 9:1).
The Pulpit Commentary
Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; literally, man panteth after me—like a wild beast after his prey. The contrast is sharp between "man" (enosh, "weak man") and God (Elohim, "the Mighty One"). He fighting daily oppreseeth me; rather, all the day long is he fighting and oppressing me.
Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; literally, man panteth after me—like a wild beast after his prey. The contrast is sharp between "man" (enosh, "weak man") and God (Elohim, "the Mighty One"). He fighting daily oppreseeth me; rather, all the day long is he fighting and oppressing me.
2Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
The Pulpit Commentary
Mine enemies; literally, my watchers—those who keep a continual guard over me. If David had been seized and made a prisoner by the Philistine lords, this expression would be very appropriate. Would daily swallow me up; rather, pant after me all day. For they be many that fight against me. The "lords of the Philistines'' were, doubtless, "many;" they seem to have, all of them, opposed themselves to David (1Sa_29:2-9). O thou Most High. This rendering is now generally abandoned, since marom (מָרוֹם), "height," is nowhere else used in this sense. Dr. Kay, Hengstenberg, and the Revised Version render "proudly;" Professor Cheyne, "with high looks."
Mine enemies; literally, my watchers—those who keep a continual guard over me. If David had been seized and made a prisoner by the Philistine lords, this expression would be very appropriate. Would daily swallow me up; rather, pant after me all day. For they be many that fight against me. The "lords of the Philistines'' were, doubtless, "many;" they seem to have, all of them, opposed themselves to David (1Sa_29:2-9). O thou Most High. This rendering is now generally abandoned, since marom (מָרוֹם), "height," is nowhere else used in this sense. Dr. Kay, Hengstenberg, and the Revised Version render "proudly;" Professor Cheyne, "with high looks."
3What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. in--or literally, "unto."
thee--to whom he turns in trouble.
3. in--or literally, "unto."
thee--to whom he turns in trouble.
The Pulpit Commentary
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee; literally, the day when I am afraid. When the day comes that I feel fear stealing over me, by an act of will I (even I, weak as I am) will put my trust in thee (comp. Psa_7:1; Psa_11:1; Psa_18:2, etc.).
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee; literally, the day when I am afraid. When the day comes that I feel fear stealing over me, by an act of will I (even I, weak as I am) will put my trust in thee (comp. Psa_7:1; Psa_11:1; Psa_18:2, etc.).
4In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
4. in God ... his word--By His grace or aid (Psa 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 (Psa 65:2; Is 31:3), intimating frailty.
4. in God ... his word--By His grace or aid (Psa 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 (Psa 65:2; Is 31:3), intimating frailty.
The Pulpit Commentary
In God I will praise his word; rather, through God; i.e. "with God's help, by his grace," I am ready to praise whatever sentence he pronounces, whatever flat goes forth from him. In God I have put my trust (so again, Psa_56:11). This is at once the refrain and the keynote of the psalm. In all dangers, in all troubles, whatever happens, whatever seems to be impending, the psalmist will never relinquish his trust in the Almighty. I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. This is the true martyr spirit. Compare our Lord's words, "Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both body and soul in hell" (Mat_10:28).
In God I will praise his word; rather, through God; i.e. "with God's help, by his grace," I am ready to praise whatever sentence he pronounces, whatever flat goes forth from him. In God I have put my trust (so again, Psa_56:11). This is at once the refrain and the keynote of the psalm. In all dangers, in all troubles, whatever happens, whatever seems to be impending, the psalmist will never relinquish his trust in the Almighty. I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. This is the true martyr spirit. Compare our Lord's words, "Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both body and soul in hell" (Mat_10:28).
5Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5-6. A vivid picture of the conduct of malicious enemies.
5-6. A vivid picture of the conduct of malicious enemies.
The Pulpit Commentary
Every day they wrest my words; rather, all the day long. they wrest (or, torture) my words. They seek to give my words an evil meaning, and so to misrepresent me to Achish, their king. As Canon Cook says, "This description is singularly applicable to David's position among the envious nobles at the court of Achish Still, it does not speak of his having been actually arrested, and does not, therefore, seem to have suggested the inscription." All their thoughts are against his for evil. They are entirely bent on doing the psalmist some hurt. What they really seek is his life (Psa_56:6); but, short of that, they would gladly do him some mischief.
Every day they wrest my words; rather, all the day long. they wrest (or, torture) my words. They seek to give my words an evil meaning, and so to misrepresent me to Achish, their king. As Canon Cook says, "This description is singularly applicable to David's position among the envious nobles at the court of Achish Still, it does not speak of his having been actually arrested, and does not, therefore, seem to have suggested the inscription." All their thoughts are against his for evil. They are entirely bent on doing the psalmist some hurt. What they really seek is his life (Psa_56:6); but, short of that, they would gladly do him some mischief.
6They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.
The Pulpit Commentary
They gather themselves together, they hide themselves; or, "they gather themselves together; they set an ambush." They mark my steps, when they wait for my soul; literally, they, even they, mark my steps; i.e. they themselves, grand as they are, condescend to be spies, and track my footsteps.
They gather themselves together, they hide themselves; or, "they gather themselves together; they set an ambush." They mark my steps, when they wait for my soul; literally, they, even they, mark my steps; i.e. they themselves, grand as they are, condescend to be spies, and track my footsteps.
7Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
7. Shall they escape? &c.--or better, "Their escape is by iniquity."
cast ... people--humble those who so proudly oppose Thy servant.
7. Shall they escape? &c.--or better, "Their escape is by iniquity."
cast ... people--humble those who so proudly oppose Thy servant.
The Pulpit Commentary
Shall they escape by iniquity? Shall they escape God's judgments, the psalmist asks, by their iniquity? Assuredly not. God will prevent such an escape. In thine anger cast down the people, O God; literally, the peoples; i.e. the heathen generally, to whom David's enemies, the Gittites, belong. Though assured that they will not escape, the psalmist, to make assurance doubly sure, prays that they may not.
Shall they escape by iniquity? Shall they escape God's judgments, the psalmist asks, by their iniquity? Assuredly not. God will prevent such an escape. In thine anger cast down the people, O God; literally, the peoples; i.e. the heathen generally, to whom David's enemies, the Gittites, belong. Though assured that they will not escape, the psalmist, to make assurance doubly sure, prays that they may not.
8Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
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.
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.
The Pulpit Commentary
Thou tellest my wanderings; i.e. thou, O God, takest account of my wretched wandering life (1 Samuel 21-30), and notest each occasion when I am forced to move from one city, or cave, or wilderness to another. Put thou my tears into thy bottle. Take also note of my tears—let them not pass unheeded. Rather, gather them drop by drop, and store them, as costly wine is stored, in a flask. The thought, thus dressed in a metaphor, was, no doubt (as Professor Cheyne observes), "Store them up in thy memory." Are they not in thy book? i.e. hast thou not anticipated my request, and entered an account of every tear that I have shed, in thy book of records (comp. Psa_69:28; Psa_139:16)?
Thou tellest my wanderings; i.e. thou, O God, takest account of my wretched wandering life (1 Samuel 21-30), and notest each occasion when I am forced to move from one city, or cave, or wilderness to another. Put thou my tears into thy bottle. Take also note of my tears—let them not pass unheeded. Rather, gather them drop by drop, and store them, as costly wine is stored, in a flask. The thought, thus dressed in a metaphor, was, no doubt (as Professor Cheyne observes), "Store them up in thy memory." Are they not in thy book? i.e. hast thou not anticipated my request, and entered an account of every tear that I have shed, in thy book of records (comp. Psa_69:28; Psa_139:16)?
9When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
9. God is for me--or, "on my side" (Psa 118:6; 124:1, 2); hence he is sure of the repulse of his foes.
9. God is for me--or, "on my side" (Psa 118:6; 124:1, 2); hence he is sure of the repulse of his foes.
The Pulpit Commentary
When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me; literally, in the day that I call upon thee.
When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me; literally, in the day that I call upon thee.
10In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.
The Pulpit Commentary
In God will I praise his word; rather, through God (see the comment on Psa_56:4). In the Lord (rather, through the Lord) will I praise his word. Professor Cheyne looks upon this as "a feeble Jehovistic interpolation, which interrupts the refrain." But other commentators see in it a certain force.
In God will I praise his word; rather, through God (see the comment on Psa_56:4). In the Lord (rather, through the Lord) will I praise his word. Professor Cheyne looks upon this as "a feeble Jehovistic interpolation, which interrupts the refrain." But other commentators see in it a certain force.
11In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
The Pulpit Commentary
In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Repeated word for word from Psa_56:4 (see the comment on that passage).
Psa_56:12, Psa_56:13
The psalm ends with an expression of thankfulness to God for the deliverance, which is so confidently expected, that it is looked upon as assured, and even spoken of as past (Psa_56:13).
In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Repeated word for word from Psa_56:4 (see the comment on that passage).
Psa_56:12, Psa_56:13
The psalm ends with an expression of thankfulness to God for the deliverance, which is so confidently expected, that it is looked upon as assured, and even spoken of as past (Psa_56:13).
12Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
12. I will render praises--will pay what I have vowed.
12. I will render praises--will pay what I have vowed.
The Pulpit Commentary
Thy vows are upon me, O God. The psalmist, under his affliction, has made vows to God; i.e. promises of thank offerings if God would come to his aid, and save him from his enemies. These vows he considers to be now due, and himself to be under the obligation of paying them. Accordingly, he announces his intention of speedily discharging his obligation—I will render praises (rather, thank offerings) unto thee.
Thy vows are upon me, O God. The psalmist, under his affliction, has made vows to God; i.e. promises of thank offerings if God would come to his aid, and save him from his enemies. These vows he considers to be now due, and himself to be under the obligation of paying them. Accordingly, he announces his intention of speedily discharging his obligation—I will render praises (rather, thank offerings) unto thee.
13For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
13. The question implies an affirmative answer, drawn from past experience.
falling--as from a precipice.
before God--in His favor during life.
13. The question implies an affirmative answer, drawn from past experience.
falling--as from a precipice.
before God--in His favor during life.
The Pulpit Commentary
For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling; rather, hast thou not delivered (Revised Version); or, surely thou hast delivered (Professor Cheyne). The psalmist views his entire deliverance as accomplished; nothing remains to be asked for. That I may walk before God in the light of the living; i.e. that henceforth I may be free from trouble, and walk before God in the clear daylight, no longer dwelling in darkness, but in "the light of life" (comp. Job_33:30; Joh_8:12).
For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling; rather, hast thou not delivered (Revised Version); or, surely thou hast delivered (Professor Cheyne). The psalmist views his entire deliverance as accomplished; nothing remains to be asked for. That I may walk before God in the light of the living; i.e. that henceforth I may be free from trouble, and walk before God in the clear daylight, no longer dwelling in darkness, but in "the light of life" (comp. Job_33:30; Joh_8:12).
THE HOLY BIBLE
Psalms
Chapter 56
Translated out of the original tongues, and with the former translations diligently compared and revised.
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“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” — PSALM 119:105