Title. Michtam: i.e. Resurgam. See Psalms 56:13 . One of six Psalms so called. The first is Psalms 16:0 . App-65 .and sub-scription, v. m. when, &c. See 1 Samuel 21:10 ; 1 Samuel 27:4 ; 1 Samuel 29:2-11 . Be merciful = Be gracious, or favourable. God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 . man. Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 . would swallow me up = thirst for my blood. Heb, sha'aph, used of wild beasts. daily = all the day. See Psalms 56:5 . read more
PSALM 56PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE FROM ENEMIES AND GRATEFUL TRUST IN GODSuperscription: For the Chief Musician; set to [~Jonath] [~'elem] [~rehokim].A Psalm of David.Michtam; when the Philistines took him in Gath.Set to [~Jonath] [~'elem] [~rehokim]. Dummelow translated this as, "The dove of the distant terebinths," which indicated the song or the melody to which the psalm would be sung."[1] Adam Clarke gave another translation, "To the tune of the dove in the remote woods."[2]Michtam. "The... read more
Psalms 56:0. David, praying to God in confidence of his word, complaineth of his enemies: he professeth his confidence in God's word, and promiseth to praise him. To the chief Musician upon Jonath-elem-rechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath. Title. רחקים אלם יונת על al ionath eilem rechokiim. Upon Jonath-elem-rechokim] Upon the silent dove afar off. Or, according to Bochart, "To the tune of the dove in the remote woods." Thus David might call himself, when, after many... read more
1, 2. would swallow—literally, "pants as a raging beast" ( :-). read more
David began this prayer with a call for divine help and an explanation of why he needed it. His enemies were constantly attacking him. As the Lord’s anointed, David had a right to expect God’s assistance. read more
1. The opposition of ungodly enemies 56:1-7 read more
Psalms 56David wrote this psalm of individual lament when the Philistines seized him in Gath (1 Samuel 21:10; cf. Psalms 34). He composed it for singing to the tune of "A Dove on Distant Oaks." This melody was evidently common in David’s day.The content of this psalm is similar to that of Psalms 54, 55, , 57. Again David determined to continue trusting in the Lord even though his enemies sought to destroy him. read more
Title.—(RV) ’For the Chief Musician; set to Jonath elem rehokim. A Psalm of David: Michtam: when the Philistines took him in Gath.’ For Michtam see on Psalms 16. Jonath elem rehokim (’the dove of the distant terebinths’) indicates the song to the melody of whicb the Ps. was to be sung. As in the case of Psalms 34 the title hardly describes accurately the occasion which it mentions (1 Samuel 21:10), and consequently too much weight must not be attached to it. The Psalmist, with many enemies... read more
(1) Man . . .—Heb., enôsh, either as in Psalms 9:19, “mortal man,” or, contemptuously, “a rabble, a multitude.” read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 56:1-57
Psalms 56:1-57:11 David escapes from SaulBoth these psalms belong to the time when David fled from Saul, first to the city of Gath, then to the cave of Adullam. (For the historical background see introductory notes to Psalms 34:0.)David is in great distress in Gath, as he learns that certain people in the city are planning to kill him (56:1-2). The increased danger he faces drives him to an increased dependence on God (3-4). Enemies watch his every move, plotting how they can best attack him... read more