Psalms 56 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
Psalm 56 KJV
- 1 Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.
- 2 Mine 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.
Psalms Chapter 56 Continued
- 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 thine anger cast down the people, O God.
- 8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
- 9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
- 10 In God will I praise his word: in the Lord will I praise his word.
- 11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
- 12 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.
- 13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 56:3
Verse: בְּיוֹם אֶתְחַלָּץ אֶבְטַח בְּךָ
Transliteration: B’yom etchalatz evtach b’kha
English: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.”
Focus Word: בָּטַח (Batach)
- Root: ב-ט-ח (Bet-Tet-Chet)
- Meaning: “To trust,” “to rely upon,” “to take refuge.”
- Deeper Insight: Hebrew batach reflects active, confident reliance on God, rooted in relationship and security.
| Hebrew Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| חָנֵּנִי — channeni | Verse 1 — “Be merciful to me, O God…” | “Be gracious,” show favor. | Channeni (“be gracious”) expresses desperate appeal for undeserved mercy (“gracious”). It highlights dependence on God amid relentless pursuit. The word opens the Psalm with vulnerable humility. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon of the Old Testament |
| שָׁאַף — sha’af | Verse 1 — “…man would swallow me up…” | “To pant after,” trample, swallow. | Sha’af (“to swallow/trample”) depicts violent pursuit (“swallow up”). It conveys an enemy intent on consuming the psalmist. The verb intensifies the Psalm’s danger imagery. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Psalms |
| לֹֽחֵם — lochem | Verse 2 — “My enemies fight against me…” | “To fight,” wage war. | Lochem (“to fight”) expresses ongoing hostility (“fight”). It emphasizes continuous aggression. The term heightens the Psalmist’s cry for deliverance. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament |
| יָגוֹר — yagor | Verse 3 — “Whenever I am afraid…” | “To fear,” tremble. | Yagor (“to fear”) reveals emotional vulnerability (“fear”). It acknowledges human fragility before threats. The word sets up the Psalm’s contrast with trust in God. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| בָּטַח — batach | Verse 3 — “…I will trust in You.” | “To trust,” rely on. | Batach (“to trust”) signifies confident reliance (“trust”). It conveys secure faith replacing fear. The term sits at the theological center of the Psalm. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary |
| דְּבָר — devar | Verse 4 — “In God, whose word I praise…” | “Word,” declaration. | Devar (“word”) highlights God’s revealed promise (“word”). It grounds confidence in divine speech. The term links trust to God’s unchanging truth. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| אָז — az | Verse 4 — “…I will not fear.” | “Then,” therefore. | Az (“then”) expresses logical consequence (“then”). It shows trust naturally eliminating fear. The word strengthens the Psalm’s rhetorical structure. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| דְּמָעָה — dema’ah | Verse 8 — “Put my tears in Your bottle…” | “Tears,” weeping. | Dema’ah (“tears”) conveys deep grief kept in divine remembrance (“tears”). It symbolizes personal suffering known by God. The term reveals tender divine attentiveness. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary |
| מָגוּר — magur | Verse 11 — “…I will not be afraid.” | “Fear,” dread. | Magur (“fear”) reflects anxiety God overcomes (“fear”). It reinforces triumph through trust. The word strengthens the Psalm’s closing confidence. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| אֲדָרְכָה — adarkha | Verse 13 — “…that I may walk before God…” | “To walk,” live continually. | Adarkha (“to walk”) signifies living in God’s presence (“walk”). It expresses restored life after rescue. The term concludes the Psalm with renewed devotion. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
Biblical Scholar On This Chapter:
| Scholar (Institution & Dates) | Work | View on Psalm 56 |
|---|---|---|
| John Calvin (University of Paris / Orléans, 1509–1564) | Commentaries on the Psalms | Calvin observes that the Psalm teaches reliance on God’s protection even when surrounded by adversaries. |
| Matthew Henry (Christ Church, Oxford, 1662–1714) | Exposition of the Old and New Testament | Notes that trusting God alleviates fear and provides confidence in His justice. |
| Richard Sibbes (Pembroke College, Cambridge, 1577–1635) | The Bruised Reed | Highlights the Psalm’s example of praying for courage and deliverance amid persecution. |
| John Owen (University of Oxford, 1616–1683) | A Commentary on the Psalms | Owen emphasizes the Psalmist’s faith in God as the foundation for steadfast endurance. |
| Thomas Manton (Christ’s College, Cambridge, 1620–1677) | Exposition of the Psalms | Observes that God’s awareness of the believer’s plight encourages unwavering trust and hope. |
| Scholar & Work | View |
|---|---|
| John Calvin – Commentary on the Psalms | Calvin sees this psalm as David’s cry for mercy while pursued and slandered. Fear is real but does not conquer faith. God records every tear and protects His servant. |
| Matthew Henry – Exposition on the Psalms | Henry interprets the psalm as the believer’s struggle between fear and trust. The promise “What can man do unto me?” strengthens courage. God keeps His people despite constant threats. |
| Albert Barnes – Notes on the Psalms | Barnes highlights the psalmist’s vulnerability under relentless pursuit. Tears are precious to God. Trust triumphs over fear. |
| John Morison – Practical Exposition of the Psalms | Morison views the psalm as showing how fear melts before confidence in God. The psalmist entrusts his wanderings to divine care. Praise replaces anxiety. |
| William Walford – Psalms Commentary | Walford emphasizes the psalmist’s alternating terror and hope. God takes account of every sorrow. Faith rests on His promises. |
| Andrew A. Bonar – Christ and His Church in the Psalms | Bonar reads the psalm as revealing the believer’s trembling faith upheld by God’s remembrance. The wanderer is never forgotten. The vow of praise declares victory. |
| Joseph Parker – People’s Bible Notes | Parker interprets the psalm as the testimony of a hunted man who clings to God. Human cruelty cannot defeat divine promises. Trust yields triumph. |
| Thomas Dale – Exposition of the Psalms | Dale sees the psalmist’s distress as severe but not overwhelming. God’s tender record of tears comforts him. Fear dissolves in trust. |
| Horatius Bonar – Psalm Sermons | Bonar views the psalm as describing the believer upheld amid terror. God’s knowledge of suffering sustains the soul. Faith declares confidence in His word. |
| Christopher Wordsworth – Commentary on the Psalms | Wordsworth sees the psalm as depicting the Church beset by enemies yet protected by God. He notes the significance of God collecting tears. Faith concludes in assurance. |
Prayer: Thank You Lord that You defend us and deliver us.
It doesn't matter the size of the army or how strong or intelligent they are, You defend us mightily and victoriously. Thank You for being gracious to us.
In You We will praise You and in You, Father, we will trust You. Your Name is a strong tower and the righteous run into Your Name and are safe.
Thank You Father that Your mercy endures forever and Your faithfulness throughout all generations.
Glorify Yourself in The Church in Jesus' Name. Amen!
