Psalms 56
AOSNPsalms 56:1-13
In this lament, the psalmist first asks for help and then expresses confidence in God. This pattern occurs two times (Psalm 56:1–4, 5–13).
Psalms 56:1
A 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).
Psalms 56:4
man: Or mere flesh, in contrast to God, who is immortal and much more powerful (see Isaiah 2:22).
Psalms 56:5-7
The psalmist specifies his charge against his attackers as he prays for their evil to end.
Psalms 56:8
The psalmist uses wordplay with two similar Hebrew words: wanderings (nod) and bottle (no’d).
Psalms 56:11
man (Hebrew ’adam): The psalm also uses two other words for man:
’enosh (meaning “people,” Psalm 56:1) and
basar (meaning “mere mortals,” Psalm 56:4).
All these words point to the short and limited nature of human life.
Psalms 56:13
The light of God’s goodness and salvation will replace the darkness of death (see Psalms 18:25–29; 27:1).
Aquifer Open Study Notes © 2026 Mission Mutual, an adaptation of the Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.