Psalms Chapter 56

“Be merciful unto me, O God, etc.] For David could expect no mercy at the hands of men, among whom he was, whose tender mercies were cruel; he being at Gath, the city of Goliath, whom he had slain, and whose sword he had now with him; and among his brethren and friends, who he might justly fear would revenge his death upon him: wherefore he betakes himself to God, and pleads not any merit or righteousness of his own, but implores the grace and mercy of God; and he might expect to find grace and mercy in this his time of need, since there is mercy with the Lord; he is plenteous in it, distributes it freely,…”

“Upon Jonath-elem-rechokim--literally, "upon the dove of silence" of distant places; either denoting a melody (see on Psa 9:1) of that name, to which this Psalm was to be performed; or it is an enigmatical form of denoting the subject, as given in the history referred to (Sa1 21:11, &c.), David being regarded as an uncomplaining, meek dove, driven from his native home to wander in exile. Beset by domestic and foreign foes, David appeals confidently to God, recites his complaints, and closes with joyful and assured anticipations of God's continued help. (Psa 56:1-13) would swallow--literally, "pants as a raging…”

“Be merciful unto me, O God - See the notes at Psalms 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 rely, or whom he could trust; and his only refuge, therefore, was in God. He fighting daily - Constantly; without intermission. That is, all people seemed to be…”

“Will praise - I will praise the Lord for his word, for his promises of protection and deliverance, made to his people. Flesh - Infirm and mortal men, called flesh by way of contempt, as Psa 78:39; Isa 31:3. Psalms 56:6”

“Ps 56 This individual lament moves from petition to confidence two times (56:1-4, 5-13). 56:title David was seized by Philistines concerned about his loyalties and brought before King Achish (1 Sam 21:10-15).”

“Michtam: or, a golden Psalm, Psa 16:1, Psa 57:1, Psa 58:1, Psa 59:1, Psa 60:1 \*titles when: Sa1 21:11-15, Sa1 29:4 Be: Psa 31:9, Psa 57:1-3, Psa 59:10, Psa 69:13-16, Psa 136:10, Psa 136:15, Psa 136:17-20, Psa 143:12 swallow: Psa 21:9, Psa 27:2, Psa 35:25, Psa 57:3, Psa 106:17, Psa 124:3; Pro 1:12; Lam 2:2, Lam 2:5, Lam 2:16; Hos 8:8; Co1 15:54 Psalms 56:2”

“אלהים and אנושׁ, Psa 56:2 ( Psa 9:20; Psa 10:18), are antitheses: over against God, the majestic One, men are feeble beings. Their rebellion against the counsel of God is ineffective madness. If the poet has God's favour on his side, then he will face these pigmies that behave as though they were giants, who fight against him מרום, moving on high, i.e., proudly (cf. ממּרום, Psa 73:8), in the invincible might of God. שׁאף, inhiare, as in Psa 57:4; לחם, as in Psa 35:1, with ל like אל, e.g., in Jer 1:19. Thus, then, he does not fear; in the day when (Ges. ֗123, 3, b) he might well be afraid (conjunctive future, as…”