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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 56:8-13

Several things David here comforts himself with in the day of his distress and fear. I. That God took particular notice of all his grievances and all his griefs, Ps. 56:8. 1. Of all the inconveniences of his state: Thou tellest my wanderings, my flittings, so the old translation. David was now but a young (under thirty) and yet he had had many removes, from his father's house to the court, thence to the camp, and now driven out to sojourn where he could find a place, but not allowed to rest... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 56:11

In God have I put my trust ,.... See Gill on Psalm 56:4 ; I will not be afraid what man can do unto me ; the same with flesh in Psalm 56:4 , and is opposed to God, in whom he trusted; and it suggests that he was not, and would not, be afraid of the greatest of men, as well as of the meanest; See Gill on Psalm 56:4 ; Arama distinguishes between "flesh" and "man"; the former, he says, means the Philistines, and the latter Saul and his army. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 56:12

Thy vows are upon me, O God ,.... Which he had made to him in the time of his distress and trouble, and which he looked upon himself under obligation to perform; they were debts upon him he ought to pay off; they were with him; they were fresh in his mind and memory; he had not forgot them, which is often the case when trouble is over; and he found his heart inclined to make them good; I will render praises unto thee ; which explains what he meant by his vows; namely, sacrifices of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 56:12

Thy vows are upon me - I have promised in the most solemn manner to be thy servant; to give my whole life to thee; and to offer for my preservation sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving. Reader, what hast thou vowed to God? To renounce the devil and all his works, the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, and all the sinful desires of the flesh; to keep God's holy word and commandment, and to walk before him all the days of thy life. These things hast thou vowed; and these vows are upon... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 56:12

Verse 12 12.Thy vows are upon me, O God! I hinted, from the outset, that it is probable this psalm was written by David after he had escaped the dangers which he describes; and this may account for the thanksgiving here appended to it. At the same time, we have evidence that he was ever ready to engage in this exercise even when presently suffering under his afflictions. He declares that the vows of God were upon him; by which he means, that he was bound to pay them, as, among the Romans, a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 56:1-13

The present psalm has a very complex heading, or "title." First, it is addressed, like most of the other psalms of this book, "to the chief musician," or "precentor." Then it is said to be "On the silent dove of far off regions." Thirdly, it is called "Michtam of David," which some explain as "a golden psalm composed by David." And fourthly, the occasion of its composition is declared to have been "the seizure of David by the Philistines in Gath." David's authorship may readily be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 56:1-13

Fear and deliverance. Taking this psalm as David's, we may use it to illustrate two great truths. I. " THE FEAR OF MAN BRINGETH A SNARE ." ( Proverbs 29:25 .) The best of men are but men at the best. David was a man of splendid courage and generosity; but there were times when he grievously erred ( 1 Samuel 21:10-15 ). It was said by Dr. Arnold, "The fear of God makes no man do anything mean or dishonourable, but the fear of man does lead to all sorts of weakness and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 56:1-13

The struggle and victory of faith. The contents of this psalm may be summed up as the struggle and the victory of faith. I. THE STRUGGLE OF FAITH . He is in great fear and danger on account of the plots and wickedness of his enemies. They fight against him with the most dangerous weapons they can command. He does not seek to defend himself with counter plots such as they employed. What are his weapons? The one mighty weapon of trust in God. 1 . In the merciful... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 56:4-11

The expression and the result of faith. "In God I will praise his word," etc. This is not a vain repetition or a mere poetic burden. The meaning is enlarged and strengthened. In Psalms 56:4 that Divine name is used which speaks of the Almighty Creator, "God." In Psalms 56:10 this is repeated, but that personal name is added which speaks of God's covenant and faithfulness, "in the Lord" (equivalent to "Jehovah"). Again, in Psalms 56:4 the psalmist speaks of man in his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 56:11

In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Repeated word for word from Psalms 56:4 (see the comment on that passage). read more

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