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.
But as for me, my prayer H8605 is unto thee, O LORD, H3068 in an acceptable H7522 time: H6256 O God, H430 in the multitude H7230 of thy mercy H2617 hear H6030 me, in the truth H571 of thy salvation. H3468 Deliver H5337 me out of the mire, H2916 and let me not sink: H2883 let me be delivered H5337 from them that hate H8130 me, and out of the deep H4615 waters. H4325 Let not the waterflood H4325 H7641 overflow H7857 me, neither let the deep H4688 swallow me up, H1104 and let not the pit H875 shut H332 her mouth H6310 upon me. Hear H6030 me, O LORD; H3068 for thy lovingkindness H2617 is good: H2896 turn H6437 unto me according to the multitude H7230 of thy tender mercies. H7356
[[To the chief Musician, H5329 Altaschith, H516 Michtam H4387 of David, H1732 when he fled H1272 from H6440 Saul H7586 in the cave.]] H4631 Be merciful H2603 unto me, O God, H430 be merciful H2603 unto me: for my soul H5315 trusteth H2620 in thee: yea, in the shadow H6738 of thy wings H3671 will I make my refuge, H2620 until these calamities H1942 be overpast. H5674 I will cry H7121 unto God H430 most high; H5945 unto God H410 that performeth H1584 all things for me. He shall send H7971 from heaven, H8064 and save H3467 me from the reproach H2778 of him that would swallow me up. H7602 Selah. H5542 God H430 shall send forth H7971 his mercy H2617 and his truth. H571
To him which smote H5221 great H1419 kings: H4428 for his mercy H2617 endureth for ever: H5769 And slew H2026 famous H117 kings: H4428 for his mercy H2617 endureth for ever: H5769 Sihon H5511 king H4428 of the Amorites: H567 for his mercy H2617 endureth for ever: H5769 And Og H5747 the king H4428 of Bashan: H1316 for his mercy H2617 endureth for ever: H5769
And the servants H5650 of Achish H397 said H559 unto him, Is not this David H1732 the king H4428 of the land? H776 did they not sing H6030 one to another of him H2088 in dances, H4246 saying, H559 Saul H7586 hath slain H5221 his thousands, H505 and David H1732 his ten thousands? H7233 And David H1732 laid up H7760 these words H1697 in his heart, H3824 and was sore H3966 afraid H3372 of H6440 Achish H397 the king H4428 of Gath. H1661 And he changed H8138 his behaviour H2940 before H5869 them, and feigned himself mad H1984 in their hands, H3027 and scrabbled H8427 on the doors H1817 of the gate, H8179 and let his spittle H7388 fall down H3381 upon his beard. H2206 Then said H559 Achish H397 unto his servants, H5650 Lo, ye see H7200 the man H376 is mad: H7696 wherefore then have ye brought H935 him to me? Have I need H2638 of mad men, H7696 that ye have brought H935 this fellow to play the mad man H7696 in my presence? shall this fellow come H935 into my house? H1004
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.