Psalms 56:1
For the Chief Musician. To the tune of "Silent Dove in Distant Lands." A poem by David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.Be merciful to me, God, for man wants to swallow me up.All day long, he attacks and oppresses me.
New Heart English 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 want to swallow me up all day long,for they are many who fight proudly against me.
Cross References
1 Samuel 21:11The servants of Achish said to him, "Isn't this David the king of the land? Did they not sing one to another about him in dances, saying, 'Saul has slain his thousands, David his ten thousands?'"
Psalms 16:1A Poem by David.Preserve me, God, for in you do I take refuge.
Psalms 27:2When evildoers came at me to eat up my flesh,even my adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell.
Psalms 35:25Do not let them say in their heart, "Aha! That's the way we want it!"Do not let them say, "We have swallowed him up!"
Psalms 58:1For the Chief Musician. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." A poem by David.Do you indeed speak righteousness, silent ones?Do you judge blamelessly, you sons of men?
Psalms 59:10My God will go before me with his loving kindness.God will let me look at my enemies in triumph.
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 →