Psalm 56:3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 56:1-7

David, in this psalm, by his faith throws himself into the hands of God, even when he had by his fear and folly thrown himself into the hands of the Philistines; it was when they took him in Gath, whither he fled for fear of Saul, forgetting the quarrel they had with him for killing Goliath; but they soon put him in mid of it, 1 Sam. 21:10, 11. Upon that occasion he changed his behaviour, but with so little ruffle to his temper that then he penned both this psalm and Ps. 34:1-22. This is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 56:3

What time I am afraid ,.... It was a time of fear with him now; he was afraid of Achish king of Gath, 1 Samuel 21:12 ; so believers have their times of fear; about their interest in the love, and grace, and covenant of God; about their sins and corruptions, and the prevalence of them, fearing they shall perish by them; and about their enemies, who are many, lively, and strong; I will trust in thee ; trust and confidence in the Lord is the best antidote against fears; who is... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 56:3

Verse 3 3.In the day that I was afraid, etc. In the Hebrew, the words run in the future tense, but they must be resolved into the praeterite. He acknowledges his weakness, in so far as he was sensible of fear, but denies having yielded to it. Dangers might distress him, but could not induce him to surrender his hope. He makes no pretensions to that lofty heroism which contemns danger, and yet while he allows that he felt fear, he declares his fixed resolution to persist in a confident... 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 56:3

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. Psalms 7:1 ; Psalms 11:1 ; Psalms 18:2 , etc.). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 56:3

What time I am afraid - literally, “the day I am afraid.” David did not hesitate to admit that there were times when he was afraid. He saw himself to be in danger, and he had apprehensions as to the result. There is a natural fear of danger and of death; a fear implanted in us:(a) to make us cautious, and(b) to induce us to put our trust in God as a Preserver and Friend.Our very nature - our physical constitution - is full of arrangements most skillfully adjusted, and most wisely planted there,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 56:3-4

Psalms 56:3-4. What time I am afraid, &c. When I have the greatest cause of fear I will rely on thy providence and promise for deliverance. In God will I praise his word I will praise, or boast, in the Lord’s word, or, in the Lord for his word. Or with, or by, God’s favour or help, I will praise his word. The sense seems to be this: there are many things to be praised and celebrated in God, his power and wisdom, &c., but among them all, and above them all, I shall now... read more

Donald C. Fleming

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

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