Tree of Life Version
Psalms 56:1
1For the music director: “A Silent Dove Far Away,” a Michtam of David, when the Philistines had seized him in Gath.
Psalms 56:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.
- New International Version (NIV)Be merciful to me, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me;
- New King James Version (NKJV)Be merciful to me, O God, for man would swallow me up; Fighting all day he oppresses me.
Context of Psalms 56:1
For the music director: “A Silent Dove Far Away,” a Michtam of David, when the Philistines had seized him in Gath. 2Be gracious to me, O God! For man has crushed me, fighting all day he oppresses me. 3My foes trample me all day. For many are fighting me arrogantly.
Read all of Psalms 56Psalms 56:1 word by word
חָנֵּ֣נִי אֱ֭לֹהִים כִּֽי־שְׁאָפַ֣נִי אֱנ֑וֹשׁ כָּל־הַ֝יּ֗וֹם לֹחֵ֥ם יִלְחָצֵֽנִי׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 56:1
- Psalms 16:1A Michtam of David. Keep me safe, O God, for in You I have found shelter.
- Psalms 57:1For the music director, “Do Not Destroy,” a Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.
- Psalms 58:1For the music director: “Do Not Destroy,” a Michtam of David.
- Psalms 59:1For the music director: “Do Not Destroy,” a Michtam of David, when Saul sent men to watch the house to kill him.
- Psalms 60:1For the music director, on the “Lily of the Covenant,” a Michtam of David, for teaching,
- 1 Samuel 21:11Then David got up and fled that day from Saul, and went to Achish, king of Gath.
- 1 Samuel 29:4But the Philistine commanders got angry with him, and the Philistine commanders said to him, “Make this man go back—back to his place you assigned him. He must not go down with us to the battle, or in the battle he might become our adversary. For how would this fellow appease his lord? Wouldn’t it be with the heads of our men?
- Psalms 31:9You did not hand me over to the enemy. You set my feet in a wide-open place.
- Psalms 59:10O my strength, I watch for You— for God is my strong tower.
- Psalms 69:13Those who sit at the gate chatter about me, and I am the song of the drunkards.
- Psalms 136:10who struck Egypt in their firstborn, for His lovingkindness endures forever,
- Psalms 143:12In Your mercy cut off my enemies and destroy all who harass my soul, for I am Your servant.
- Psalms 21:9Your hand will find all your enemies. Your right hand will overtake those who hate You.
- Psalms 27:2When evildoers approached me to devour my flesh —my adversaries and my foes— they stumbled and fell.
- Psalms 35:25Don’t let them say in their heart: “Aha! Just what we wanted!” Don’t let them say: “We swallowed him up!”
- Psalms 57:3I will cry out to El Elyon, to God who accomplishes it for me.
Commentaries on Psalms 56:1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Be merciful unto me - I am assailed both at home and abroad. I can go nowhere without meeting with enemies: unless thou who art the Fountain of mercy and the Most High, stand up in my behalf, my enemies will most undoubtedly prevail against me. They fight against me continually, and I am in the utmost danger of being swallowed up by them.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Be merciful unto me, O God - See the notes at Psalm 51:1. For man would swallow me up - The word used here means properly to breathe hard; to pant; to blow hard; and then, to pant after, to yawn after with open mouth. The idea is, that people came upon him everywhere with open mouth, as if they would swallow him down whole. He found no friend in man - in any man. Everywhere his life was sought. There was no “man,” wherever he might go, on whom he could…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1David seeks mercy from God, amidst the malice of his enemies. (1-7) He rests his faith on God's promises, and declares his obligation to praise him for mercies. (8-13) Verses 1-7 Be merciful unto me, O God. This petition includes all the good for which we come to throne of grace. If we obtain mercy there, we need no more to make us happy. It implies likewise our best plea, not our merit, but God's mercy, his free, rich mercy. We may flee to, and trust the…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1A Miktam: This may be a literary or musical term. David was seized by Philistines concerned about his loyalties and brought before King Achish (1 Samuel 21:10–15).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-131-2. would swallow--literally, "pants as a raging beast" (Ac 9:1).Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 56:1
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 56
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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