Psalms 56

To the chief musician on Jonath-elem-rehokim, a miktam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath

56:Title This was written probably during David’s first time in Gath as described in 1 Sam 21:10-15. It is not said that the Philistines laid hands on him but the language of 1 Sam 21:13 suggests it, and 1 Sam 22:1 says he escaped from there. In any case, it was a time of grave danger from both Saul and his forces, and from the Philistines the enemies of Israel. Jonath-elem-rechokim probably indicated the tune to be used in singing this psalm. It means “A Dove on Distant Oaks”.⚜

Be merciful to me, O God,

for man would swallow me up;

fighting all day he oppresses me.

2 All day my enemies would

swallow me up,

for there are many

who fight against me,

O Most High.

56:1-2 Men were acting like wild beasts toward him, thirsting for his blood (Ps 35:25; 57:3; 124:3).⚜

3 When I am afraid, I will trust

in you.

4 In God I will praise his word,

in God I have put my trust;

I will not fear what flesh

can do to me.

56:3-4 He does not say he was unafraid. The bravest of men may sometimes fear. But David knew what to do when he was afraid, and his faith in God drove his fear away and enabled him to praise even in those dangerous and difficult circumstances. The same language of faith is seen in Heb 13:5. Observe what David praised – the Word of God, pure, faithful, holy, a sure foundation for his faith.⚜

5 All day they twist my words.

All their thoughts are

against me for evil.

56:5 This is a trick of the wicked. They try to twist the words of the righteous and even the words of God to use for their own purposes (Matt 26:59-62; Gal 1:7; 2 Pet 3:16).⚜

6 They gather themselves together,

they hide themselves,

they watch my steps

while they lie in wait for my life.

7 Shall they escape by wickedness?

In your anger cast down

the people, O God!

8 You count up my wanderings.

Put my tears in your bottle.

Are they not in your book?

56:8 The tears of His people are precious to God. He knows their sorrows, He hears their weeping, He sees their tears – Ex 2:23-25; 3:7; Isa 25:8; 38:5; Rev 7:17; 21:4. No mother ever paid as much heed to the tears of her child as God does to the tears of His children.⚜

9 When I cry out to you,

my enemies will turn back.

I know this, for God is

for me.

10 In God I will praise

his word;

in the LORD I will praise his word.

11 In God I have put my trust;

I will not be afraid what man

can do to me.

56:9-11 See Ps 6:8-10. Faith is the victory (Eph 6:16; 1 John 5:4-5; Rom 8:31).⚜

12 Vows to you are on me, O God.

I will render praises to you.

56:12 “Praises” – ingratitude is a black and deadly sin (Rom 1:21), and many professing Christians are guilty of it. They seldom think of offering something to God for all His benefits to them. Not so David, the man after God’s own heart.⚜

13 For you have delivered my soul

from death.

Will you not deliver

my feet from falling,

that I may walk before God

in the light of the living?