BSB
Psalms 56
1For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack.
2My enemies pursue me all day long, for many proudly assail me.
3When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.
4In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
5All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise.
6They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.
7In spite of such sin, will they escape? In Your anger, O God, cast down the nations.
8You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle—are they not in Your book?
9Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side.
10In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise,
11in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
12Your vows are upon me, O God; I will render thank offerings to You.
13For You have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
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Afflicted Saints: should Praise God Psalm 56:8–10
You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle—are they not in Your book? / Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side. / In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise,
Afflictions and Adversities: Consolation In Psalm 56:8–10
You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle—are they not in Your book? / Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side. / In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise,
Afflictions and Adversities: Prayer In Psalm 56:1–13
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack. / My enemies pursue me all day long, for many proudly assail me. / When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.
Backsliders: Promises To Psalm 56:13
For You have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
Beautiful Feet Psalm 56:13
For You have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
Book of Remembrance Psalm 56:8
You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle—are they not in Your book?
Books: Memorials of God's Providence Psalm 56:8
You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle—are they not in Your book?
Bottle used As a Lachrymatory (A Receptacle for Tears) Psalm 56:8
You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle—are they not in Your book?
Bottles of God's Remembrance Psalm 56:8
You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle—are they not in Your book?
David: King of Israel: At This Time Probably Writes Psalm 56:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack.
Decision: David Psalm 56:12
Your vows are upon me, O God; I will render thank offerings to You.
Enemy: The Wickedness of David's Psalm 56:5
All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise.
Faith: Exemplified Psalm 56:3, 4, 8, 9, 11
When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. / In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? / You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle—are they not in Your book?
Lachrymatory (Tear Bottle): A Bottle for Containing Tear Drops Psalm 56:8
You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle—are they not in Your book?
Malice: General Scriptures Concerning Psalm 56:5, 6
All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise. / They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.
Music: Micahtam: A Musical Term in the Titles of Psalm 56:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack.
Natural Death: when Averted for a Season, is a Motive to Increased Psalm 56:12, 13
Your vows are upon me, O God; I will render thank offerings to You. / For You have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
Nervousness Psalm 56:3
When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.
Overcoming Fear Psalm 56:3, 4
When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. / In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Persecution of the Righteous Psalm 56:5
All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise.
Praise: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Psalm 56:10, 12
In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise, / Your vows are upon me, O God; I will render thank offerings to You.
Prayer: Answer To, Promise Psalm 56:9
Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side.
Prayer: Imprecatory Psalm 56:7
In spite of such sin, will they escape? In Your anger, O God, cast down the nations.
Prayer: should be offered Up with Confidence in God Psalm 56:9
Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side.
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Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
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Psalms 56:1-7 Verses 1-7
Be merciful unto me, O God. This petition includes all the good for which we come to throne of grace. If we obtain mercy there, we need no more to make us happy. It implies likewise our best plea, not our merit, but God's mercy, his free, rich mercy. We may flee to, and trust the mercy of God, when surrounded on all sides by difficulties and dangers. His enemies were too hard for him, if God did not help him. He resolves to make God's promises the matter of his praises, and so we have reason to make them. As we must not trust an arm of flesh when engaged for us, so we must not be afraid of an arm of flesh when stretched out against us. The sin of sinners will never be their security. Who knows the power of God's anger; how high it can reach, how forcibly it can strike?
Psalms 56:8-13 Verses 8-13
The heavy and continued trials through which many of the Lord's people have passed, should teach us to be silent and patient under lighter crosses. Yet we are often tempted to repine and despond under small sorrows. For this we should check ourselves. David comforts himself, in his distress and fear, that God noticed all his grievances and all his griefs. God has a bottle and a book for his people's tears, both the tears for their sins, and those for their afflictions. He observes them with tender concern. Every true believer may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and then I will not fear what man shall do unto me; for man has no power but what is given him from above. Thy vows are upon me, O Lord; not as a burden, but as that by which I am known to be thy servant; as a bridle that restrains me from what would be hurtful, and directs me in the way of my duty. And vows of thankfulness properly accompany prayers for mercy. If God deliver us from sin, either from doing it, or by his pardoning mercy, he has delivered our souls from death, which is the wages of sin. Where the Lord has begun a good work he will carry it on and perfect it. David hopes that God would keep him even from the appearance of sin. We should aim in all our desires and expectations of deliverance, both from sin and trouble, that we may do the better service to the Lord; that we may serve him without fear. If his grace has delivered our souls from the death of sin, he will bring us to heaven, to walk before him for ever in light.