Psalms 56

To the chief Musician, upon Jonath-elem-rechokim. Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath. A Psalm composed by David, when, for fear of Saul, he fled like an innocent dove into remote countries. More particularly when he was forced to take shelter among the Philistines in Gath, (1 Sam. xxi.) where the lords of the court brought him to king Achish, with such high commendations of his valour, as he thought might endanger his life. And therefore he put on the guise of a man beside himself; silently bewailing the sadness of his condition,.which constrained him to make use of such artifices; and complaining to God of the cruelty of his enemies, who had driven him into this and many other straits: but making no remonstrances to Achish how ho was used, nor begging his assistance against them. Not, a word of this; which is the reason, possibly, why he compares himself here in the title to. a silent or dumb dove, if interpreters rightly understand the words Jonath-elem, which they expound in that manner. And Kimchi thinks, he the rather compares himself to a dove, because that is accounted a silly creature; (Hos. vii. 11.) and David now seemed no better. And this is the reason that this Psalm is also called Michtam, (see Psal. xvi.) because it is a commemoration of God’s singular care over him, in many great dangers, especially at Gath; when he entirely depended upon his favour and love alone; supporting himself (and seeking no farther for help) by his gracious promise to him; which he thankfully acknowledges, especially in the conclusion of this Psalm. Which was penned, it appears from ver. 8. after many wanderings of this good man; first, to Samuel in Naioth, (1 Sam. xix. 18.) then to Jonathan, (xx.l.) then to Nob, (xxi. 1.) after that to Gath, (ver. 10.) from thence to Adullam, (xxii. 1.) and then, into the country of Moab: (ver. 3.) from whence he was admonished by the prophet Gad, to go to a place of greater security, (ver. 6.) which he found in the forest of Hareth; (l.Sam. xxii. 5.) where, I suppose, he might have a little repose and leisure, to reflect upon what was past, and to compose this Psalm: and from that forest, I fancy, he might call himself, (if we admit of Bochartus’s change of one point, lib. i. de Animal, cap. 3. par. ii.) Jonath-elim-rechoMm, a dovein the remote woods. Where he made this Psalm before the rest of his wanderings to other places, which afterward followed. And when he came to the kingdom, he delivered it to the chief master of music, to be sung after the tune of a song, which began with those words (as Aben Ezra takes it), Jonath-elim-rechokim.

Psalms 56:1

-HE merciful unto me, O God; for man would swaL low me up: he fighting daily oppresseth me. O God, the supreme, and therefore impartial, judge of all the world, take pity upon mc, I beseech thee, and rescue me from the violence of my enemies: for Saul, forgetting his own mortality, and how unseemly it is for frail man to continue his enmities for ever, most eagerly pursues me, with an unsatiable desire to take away my life: he never intermits his persecutions, but presses mc so closely, that he gives me no time to breathe.

Psalms 56:2

Mine enemies would daily swallow me up; for they be many that fight against me, thou Most High. He sends abroad his spies, to watch all opportunities to ensnare me; for which they gape as greedily as ravenous beasts do for their prey: and great multitudes there are, O thou Most High (who alone canst disappoint them) that, proud of their numbers, and of their power, have insolently set themselves against me to destroy me.

Psalms 56:3

What time I am qfravd, I will trust in thee. As I have just reason to fear they will, unless I be defended by thee, Mith whom I have entrusted myself and all my concerns; which is the only thing whereby I overcome those fears when they seize uponmc..

Psalms 56:4

In God I ivill praise his word; in Godlhaveput my trust: I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. By the help of God, I will be so far from being dismayed, that I will rejoice in the’faithful promise he hath made to me by his prophet, (1 Sam. xvi. 13. 2 Sain. iii. 9. v. 2.) Though it be not fulfilled presently, yet by his assistance 1 will depend, as I have done hitherto, upon his fidelity for the performance of it, and never fear what frail man can do. to hinder it.

Psalms 56:5

Every day they ivrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil. I know what an ill construction my enemies would put upon these words, if they could hear what I say; for they do nothing but wrest the most innocent speeches; and because I profess to confide in God, pretend that I conspire against the king, (1 Sam. xxiv. 9.) their whole business being nothing else, but to contrive how to do me mischief. Ver. C. They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.] For this end they hold many consultations among themselves, and lay snares privily for me; curiously observing all my motions, and still expecting an opportunity to take away my life.

Psalms 56:7

Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God. Shall this iniquity always go unpunished? Or by their subtilty and craft shall they, who thus unjustly persecute the innocent, escape thy vengeance? God, the righteous judge, throw down those insolent people, who have so long provoked thy patience, and make them feel the effects of thy just displeasure.

Psalms 56:8

Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?. Thou art perfectly acquainted, lam sure, how often I have been forced to fly, like a vagabond, from place to place; which hath cost me many a tear: good Lord, preserve a kind remembrance of them; and let them not perish as things thou nothing regardest. But why am I so importunate for this, since I know thou art so far from despising my misery, that thou art as mindful of it, as if thou keptest a register of every tear, and all my troubles?

Psalms 56:9

Whenlcry unto thee, then shallmine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me. My prayer therefore shall prevail when my enemies oppress me, and obtain a glorious victory over them; of this I am assured, because the mighty God, who rules all the world, is on my side.

Psalms 56:10

In God will I praise his word; in the Lord will 1 praise his word. By his gracious assistance 1 will continue my resolution to rejoice in the faithful promise I bcforementioned: he is the eternal Lord, who never alters nor “changes, and I will be like him, immutably rejoicing in that faithful promise.

Psalms 56:11

In God have I put my trttst: I ivill not be afraid whatman can do unto me. Nothing shall shake the confidence I have reposed in him; nor will I fear what the greatest man can do, were he more powerful than he is,