Psalms 56

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 56

1¶ To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.

2Mine enemies would daily swallow [me] up: for [they be] many that fight against me, O thou most High.

3What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

4In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

5Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts [are] against me for evil.

6They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.

7Shall 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?

9When I cry [unto thee], then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God [is] for me.

10In God will I praise [his] word: in the LORD will I praise [his] word.

11In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

12Thy vows [are] upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.

13For 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?

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Psalm 56 records David's plea for mercy while he is oppressed by his enemies, specifically when taken by the Philistines in Gath. Despite his fear, David declares his unwavering trust in God and His word, confident that God will deliver him. He believes that when he cries out, his enemies will retreat because God is for him.

Medium Summary

In Psalm 56, David expresses his profound distress and fear as his adversaries relentlessly seek to harm him, even twisting his words for evil. He acknowledges his fear but immediately counters it with a declaration of trust in God, vowing not to fear what man can do. David appeals to God to remember his suffering, symbolized by his wanderings and tears, and asks for divine justice against his oppressive foes. He reiterates his confidence that God is on his side, assuring him that his enemies will turn back. The psalmist twice affirms his commitment to praise God's word. The psalm concludes with David's commitment to fulfill his vows of praise, recognizing God's past deliverance and anticipating future preservation to walk in God's light.

Long Summary

Psalm 56, titled as a Michtam of David when the Philistines seized him in Gath, opens with a fervent plea for God's mercy as David faces daily oppression from numerous enemies who seek to "swallow him up." He candidly admits his fear but immediately asserts his resolute trust in God, declaring that he will praise God's word and not fear what "flesh can do." David describes his adversaries' malicious intent, noting how they twist his words, gather against him, hide, and meticulously track his movements, waiting to take his life. He questions whether they will escape their iniquity and implores God to cast them down in divine anger. David then appeals to God's intimate knowledge of his suffering, asking Him to record his wanderings and collect his tears in a bottle, implying God's remembrance. He expresses absolute certainty that when he cries to God, his enemies will retreat, affirming, "this I know; for God is for me." The psalmist twice emphasizes his commitment to praise God's word, reinforcing his trust. The psalm culminates with David acknowledging his "vows" to God and promising to render praises, for God has already delivered his soul from death. He expresses a hopeful expectation that God will also keep his feet from falling, enabling him to walk before God "in the light of the living."

Core Concepts

  • Trust in God Amidst FearDavid openly acknowledges his fear ("What time I am afraid") but immediately counters it with a declaration of unwavering trust in God and His word, stating he will "not fear what flesh can do."
  • Oppression by EnemiesThe psalm vividly portrays David's adversaries as numerous and relentless, daily seeking to "swallow him up," twisting his words, and meticulously plotting against him for evil.
  • God's Remembrance of SufferingDavid appeals to God to remember his "wanderings" and to collect his "tears into thy bottle," signifying God's intimate awareness and preservation of his afflictions.
  • Praise for God's WordDavid repeatedly affirms his intention to "praise his word" in God and in the LORD, highlighting the divine promises and revelations as the foundation of his trust and hope.
  • Certainty of Divine DeliveranceDavid expresses absolute conviction that his enemies will turn back when he cries to God, because he knows "God is for me," and that God has delivered his soul from death.
  • Vows and Future HopeThe psalm concludes with David acknowledging his "vows" to God and promising praises, expressing a desire for continued preservation from falling so he may "walk before God in the light of the living.""