Psalms 56:1
(56-1) For the Leader; upon Jonath-elem-rehokim. A Psalm of David; Michtam; when the Philistines took him in Gath. (56-2) Be gracious unto me, O God, for man would swallow me up; all the day he fighting oppresseth me.
JPS TaNaKH 1917
In The King James Version
Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.
In Context
Cross References
1 Samuel 21:11(21-12) And the servants of Achish said unto him: 'Is not this David the king of the land? Did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying: Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?'
Psalms 16:1Michtam of David. Keep me, O God; for I have taken refuge in Thee.
Psalms 27:2When evil-doers came upon me to eat up my flesh, even mine adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell.
Psalms 35:25Let them not say in their heart: 'Aha, we have our desire'; let them not say: 'We have swallowed him up.'
Psalms 58:1(58-1) For the Leader; Al-tashheth. A Psalm of David; Michtam. (58-2) Do ye indeed speak as a righteous company? Do ye judge with equity the sons of men?
Psalms 59:10(59-11) The God of my mercy will come to meet me; God will let me gaze upon mine adversaries.
Matthew Henry on Psalms 56:1
It seems by this, and many other psalms, that even in times of the greatest trouble and distress David never hung his harp upon the willow-trees, never unstrung it or laid it by; but that when his dangers and fears were greatest he was still in tune for singing God's praises. He was in imminent peril when he penned this psalm, at least when he meditated it; yet even then his meditation of God was sweet. I. He complains of the malice of his enemies, and begs mercy for himself and justice against them, ver. 1, 2 ,… Read the whole commentary →