Bible Commentaries
Psalms 56

Verse 1

Title. Michtam: i.e. Resurgam. See Psalms 56:13 . One of six Psalms so called. The first is Psalms 16:0 . App-65 .and sub-scription, v. m.

when, &c. See 1 Samuel 21:10 ; 1 Samuel 27:4 ; 1 Samuel 29:2-11 .

Be merciful = Be gracious, or favourable.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

man. Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 .

would swallow me up = thirst for my blood. Heb, sha'aph, used of wild beasts.

daily = all the day. See Psalms 56:5 .

Verse 2

enemies = watchers, or observers.

O Thou Most High. Hebrew. marom, lofty, or exalted (not Elyon) .

Verse 3

trust = confide. Hebrew. batah. App-69 .

Verse 4

In God. Figure of speech Cycloides. App-6 . Compare Psalms 56:10 .

flesh. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6 , for man.

Verse 5

Every day = all the day. See Psalms 56:5 .

evil. App-44 .

Verse 6

my soul = me. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 7

iniquity. Hebrew. 'aven.

people = peoples. (No Art.)

Verse 8

tellest = recordest.

wanderings . . . bottle. Figure of speech Paronomasia. App-6 . Hebrew. nodi. . . ben'odeka.

Thy bottle. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 . Tears of mourners were thus collected and buried with the dead. Hence often found in ancient tombs.

Thy book. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

Verse 9

When I cry unto Thee = In the day of my cry.

for = that.

for me = mine.

Verse 10

In God, &c. Figure of speech Cycloides. App-6 . See Psalms 56:4 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 11

put my trust = confided. Compare Psalms 56:3 .

man = a man. (No Art.) Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Verse 13

delivered = plucked.

"Wilt not thou . . . ? Figure of Speech. Erotesis. App-6 .

In the light of the living = in resurrection life. Hence the title "Michtam". Compare Psalms 16:0 , and other Michtam Psalms. See also: Job 33:30 ; and Psalms 116:8 , Psalms 116:9 ; where it is "land of the living".

To the chief Musician. See App-64 .

Al-taschith = Destroy not. See App-65 . The words of David in 1 Samuel 26:9 . 2 Samuel 24:16 , 2 Samuel 24:17 . Same word as in 2 Samuel 1:14 .Isaiah 65:8 . Compare 1 Chronicles 21:12 , 1 Chronicles 21:15 .