Psalms 56:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack.
Majority Standard Bible
In The King James Version
Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.
In Context
2My enemies pursue me all day long, for many proudly assail me.
Cross References
1 Samuel 21:11But the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David, the king of the land? Did they not sing about him in their dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”
Psalms 16:1A Miktam of David. Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge.
Psalms 27:2When the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh, my enemies and foes stumbled and fell.
Psalms 35:25Let them not say in their hearts, “Aha, just what we wanted!” Let them not say, “We have swallowed him up!”
Psalms 58:1For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David. Do you indeed speak justly, O rulers? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men?
Psalms 59:10My God of loving devotion will come to meet me; God will let me stare down my foes.
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 →