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Book of Psalms


Psalm 56

To the chief Musician upon Jonath-elem-rechokim, Michtam of David when the Philistines took him in Gath.

King James Version

1 Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.
2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
5 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.

6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.
7 Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.
8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
10 In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.
11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
12 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.

13 For 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?1

References and notes
1. King James Authorized Version
2. Matthew Henry Bible Commentary - http:// www.eword today.com/ comments/ psalm/mh/ psalm56.htm
3. Spurgeon's Treasury of David - http:// www.eword today.com/ comments/ psalm/spurgeon/psalm56.htm
4. EASTON DICTIONARY - http://www2 .mf.no/ bibelprog/ easton? word= michtam
5. Seventh-day Bible Commentary - Vol. 3 pg. 765

DIVISION OF PSALM 56

I. The psalmist complains of the malice of his enemies, and begs mercy for himself and justice against them (v. 1, 2, 5-7).
II. He confides in God, being assured that he took his part, comforting himself with this, that therefore he was safe and should be victorious, and that while he lived he should praise God (v. 3, 4, 8-13).2

 

JONATH-ELEM-RECHOKIM

The meaning of this phrase is unknown. By conjecturally emending the text, reading 'alim for 'elem, the RSV translates the expression, "The Dove on Far-off Terebinths." Some suggest there may be a quotation from, or a reference to, the song cited in Ps. 55:6,7. Others suggest an allusion to David's years of wandering.5



MICHTAM

Michtam - writing; i.e., a poem or song found in the titles of Ps. 16; 56-60. Some translate the word "golden", i.e., precious. It is rendered in the LXX by a word meaning "tablet inscription" or a "stelograph." The root of the word means to stamp or grave, and hence it is regarded as denoting a composition so precious as to be worthy to be engraven on a durable tablet for preservation; or, as others render, "a psalm precious as stamped gold," from the word kethem, "fine or stamped gold."4

TWIN PSALMS

Psalms 56 and 57 have been called "twin psalms," because of similarities in content and in development of theme. They begin with the same words, consist of two similar parts embodying prayer for deliverance desired, and praise for deliverance gained; and employ a refrain at the close of each section. Written under circumstances of grievous trouble, they both express the complete confidence in God that overcomes all fear. The two parts of Ps. 56 (vs. 1-4, 5-11) are similar in thought, the second more emphatic than the first. Each closes with a refrain, augmented on its second occurrence. Two verses of gratitude are added to the poem. According to the inscription Ps. 56 was the work of David, composed as a result of his experience with the philistines at Gath (1 Sam. 21:13).5

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