Psalms 56

Psalms 56:1-7

David was in imminent peril when he penned this plaim, at least when he meditated it; yet even then his meditation of God was facet. 1. He complains of the malice of his enemies, and hugs mercy for himself and paffice against them, vers. 1, 2, 5, 6, 7. 2. Expresses his confidence in God, vers. 3, 4, 8-13.

To the chief musician, upon Jonath-elem-rechokim, ‘Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath.

1. ‘Be merciful unto me, O God, for man would swallow me up: he fighting daily oppresseth me. 2. None I enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High. 3. What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. 4. ‘In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust, I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. 5. Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil. 6. They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps when they wait for my soul. 7. Shall they escape by iniquity? in those anger cast down the people, O God.’

The words Jonath-elem-rechokim in the title, are generally supposed to refer to his present situation, and are rendered concerning the mute dose in for places, as was the case with David at this time, driven for safety into the land of the Philistines. Though harmless as a dove, an exile from his country, and mute under all his reproaches; or in his madness, which he feigned before Achith to preserve himself from ruin. Such was the blessed Jesus, innocent and harmless, silent before his persecutors, and sufferings without the camp. May we imitate his patience, and be content to suffer with him?

The arms of Divine mercy are ever open to the miserable, hither therefore David sees.

1. He complains of his enemies. They designed nothing less than his utter ruin, v. 1. Their attacks were restless and incessant; too numerous, as well as mighty, for him to contend with, v. 2. Malicious, they perverted his words to some ill meaning; mischievous, they were ever plotting against him some evil, v. 4. Unanimous, they confulsed and assembled to destroy him, and every art of fraud, as well as force, was employed to enslave and undo him, v. 6. Note, (1.) A child of God must ever expect to meet the enmity of a world that loth in wickedness. (2.) Every eye is upon the steps of the godly, with eagerness waiting for their halving, every ear ready to catch their words, and artful to misrepresent them to their prejudice: let them take the greater heed to their ways. (3.) The tempter and accuser of the brethren is ceaseless in his snarva, and the more abundantly need we watch and pray, that we enter not into temptation. (4.) However divided wicked men are among themselves, they can ever cordially unite to oppose and oppress the faithful followers of Jesus.

2. In his trouble, David stretch his prayer to God. He merciful unto me; could he obtain that, the malice of his foes should not be able to pervail. Note, We have no demand on God for ought; our only plea is for mercy through the Redeemer, and that includes all we can wish or need.

3. He encourages his heart in God. Fearful he sometimes was, but he hath a never-failing resource, even the Most High. His word would comfort, his power protect him: on this rock therefore his confidence fixes, and thence defies the impotent enmity of man, v. 3, 4. Yes, he not only trusts securely, but praises joyfully, assured that God’s promises were as good as performances, and that his thanks might antedate his deliverance. Note, (1.) Fear will sometimes belet the strongest believers. (2.) Faith is then most needful, when the storm of temptation is highest. (3.) Trials drive us nearer to God, as the tree shaken by the wind, takes future and deeper root. (4.) God’s promises demand our praises; and both praise as well as promise in in God, his gift, and from his grace alone.

4. He expresses his confidence of the approaching ruin of the wicked. Shall they sleep by iniquity? no: though they promise themselves impunity, and think they are so great and above controul, yet God will not suffer them to go unpunished. In those anger cast down the people, O God, that their devices might be disappointed, and their destruction come upon them. Note, None are too great for God to humbly; none to secure, or daring, but he will make them feel his arm.

5. Thou celest my wandrings, put thou my tears in to thy bottle: ‘are they not in thy book? 9. When I

On, conmay of the Sons of us after all. Pl. xvi. Tr. § 1 Sam. xxi. 10 or xxx. 2. Pl. xvi. 1. Noa. Chapman. (Ver. 16, 11). 5. 1. Pl. xvii. 6. 2a. xxx. 3. Hah. xvi. 6. Pl. xix. 3. 8. xvi. 1. Pl. xix. 10. 1 Cor. 10. 11. 1 Id. 16. cry Pilati LVII. notices, where our facts will be forepite as the long, and the ver further to be wiley in the work of everlasting proofs.