Psalm 56:4

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Psalms 56:1-13

The keynote of this psalm is the concluding declaration of the previous one, "I will trust in Thee." Here again are evident the same circumstances of oppression (verses Psa 56:5-7 ). The song opens and closes with praise. The opening (verses Psa 56:1-4 ) is a prayer for deliverance which culminates in a note of praise. Notice how it ascends. First, the singer declares that in the hour of fear he will trust. Then he declares he will trust and not be afraid. The closing movement is wholly of... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 56:1-4

The Heading (Psalms 56:1 a). ‘For the Chief Musician; set to Yonath elem rehokim (‘the silent dove of far off places (or ‘men’)’). A Psalm of David. Michtam; when the Philistines took him in Gath. This is another Psalm dedicated to the Choirmaster or Chief Musician (the head of music). A Michtam may signify ‘a covering’ and thus a plea for protection (from the Akkadian katamu (‘to cover’). It has also been interpreted as ‘a golden Psalm’ (from chetem = ‘gold’). Michtam occurs also in... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 56:1-13

LVI. A Prayer against Strong, Numerous, and Crafty Foes. Psalms 56:2 . For “ enemies” read “ they that lie in wait for me” ( mg.) ,— proudly: read “ bitterly.” Psalms 56:4 . Will praise his word, i.e. the fulfilment of His promise. The fulfilment comes, of course, “ through God.” The verse recurs in Psalms 56:10 f., which is probably its original place since it cannot be a refrain. It has been anticipated here by a mistake of the scribe. Psalms 56:6 b, c, Psalms 56:7 a. Read, with slight... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Psalms 56:4

In God I will praise his word: the sense is, either, 1. I will praise or boast in the Lord’s word, or the Lord for his word. Or, 2. With or by the Lord (i.e. by his favour or help) I will praise his word. Or rather, 3. This, as I humbly conceive: There are many things to be praised and celebrated in God, his power and wisdom, &c.; but amongst all, and above all, I shall at this time praise him for his word, which he hath magnified above all his name, as is said, Psalms 138:2, even for his... read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Psalms 56:1-13

INTRODUCTIONSuperscription.—“To the Chief Musician upon Jonath-Elem-Rechokim.” The phrase “Jonath-Elem-Rechokim” occurs nowhere else in the Bible; and Biblical critics are by no means agreed as to its meaning. Gesenius renders it, “The silent dove among strangers.” W. A. Wright, in Smith’s Dict of the Bale: “A dumb dove of (in) distant places.” De Wette, “Dove of the distant terebinths.” Aben Ezra regards it as merely indicating the modulation or the rhythm of the Psalm,—“after the melody of... read more

William Nicoll

Sermon Bible Commentary - Psalms 56:3-4

Psalms 56:3-4 I. Notice how beautifully there comes out here the occasion of trust. "What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee." That goes deep down into the realities of life. It is when we are afraid that we trust in God, not in easy times, when things are going smoothly with us. This principle first fear and only then faith applies all round the circle of our necessities, weaknesses, sorrows, and sins. II. Notice how there is involved in this the other consideration that a man's confidence... read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Psalms 56:1-13

Psalms 56:1-13 Psalms 56:1-13 . This is the prayer of David when he heard a mourning dove. That is, a mourning: m-o-u-r-n-i-n-g dove, out in the distant terebinth trees. He no doubt heard these doves cooing off in the distance. There is sort of something soulful and mournful about those doves when they are crying. He said,Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. My enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou... read more

Joseph Sutcliffe

Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 56:1-13

The title of this psalm, which relates to the manner of singing and playing, is upon the remote and silent dove. To which michtam is added, the golden ode of David. In the LXX, the title of this and the three following psalms are the same, as to the air or the manner of singing. David, as was the ancient custom of the bards, made a psalm on every special occasion of escape from danger, or when he was favoured with enlargement of heart. He composed this after changing his behaviour before... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Psalms 56:1-13

Psalms 56:1-13Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up.The deprecable and the desirableI. The deprecable in relation to man.1. Craven-heartedness. A man whose heart is morally sound is bold as a lion, invincible as the light of day.2. Presumptuous revenge.II. The desirable in relation to God.1. A desire to trust Almighty God (Psalms 56:3). All souls should centre in Him, cling to Him as planets to the sun. This is the real antidote to cowardly fear.2. A desire to praise Almighty... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Psalms 56:3-4

Psalms 56:3-4What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee. Fear and faithIt is not given to many men to add new words to the vocabulary of religious emotion. But so far as an examination of the Old Testament avails, I find that David was the first that ever employed the word that is here translated, “I will trust,” with a religious meaning. And it is a favourite word of his. I find it occurs constantly in his psalms; twice as often, or nearly so, in the psalms attributed to David as in all the... read more

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