Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day long they press their attack. For the choirmaster.This phrase indicates that the psalm was intended for public worship and was to be directed by the choirmaster, a leader in the musical aspect of temple worship. The role of the choirmaster was significant in organizing and leading the musical elements of worship, which were an integral part of Israelite religious life. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.”
This specifies the melody to which the psalm was to be sung. The exact tune is unknown today, but it suggests a specific musical setting familiar to the original audience. The imagery of a dove may evoke themes of peace, innocence, or lament, which could influence the emotional tone of the psalm. A Miktam of David,
The term "Miktam" is not fully understood, but it is often associated with a type of psalm that conveys deep personal reflection or lament. David, the attributed author, was the second king of Israel and a central figure in the Old Testament, known for his musical and poetic skills. when the Philistines seized him in Gath.
This historical context refers to an event recorded in 1 Samuel 21:10-15, when David fled from King Saul and sought refuge in Gath, a Philistine city. The Philistines were long-standing enemies of Israel, and David's presence there was fraught with danger. This background highlights the psalm's themes of fear and reliance on God. Be merciful to me, O God,
David's plea for mercy underscores his recognition of God's sovereignty and his own need for divine intervention. This appeal to God's mercy is a common theme in the Psalms, reflecting a deep trust in God's character and compassion. for men are hounding me;
This phrase captures the relentless pursuit David faced from his enemies, particularly Saul's forces. The imagery of being hunted emphasizes the intensity of his distress and the urgency of his plea for God's protection. all day they press their attack.
The continuous nature of the threat is highlighted here, suggesting that David's trials were unceasing and overwhelming. This persistence of adversity is a common experience for many believers, who find solace in the psalms' honest expression of human struggle and divine hope. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of this psalm, David, is expressing his plea for God's mercy during a time of distress. This psalm is attributed to the time when the Philistines seized him in Gath. 2. GodThe central figure to whom David directs his plea for mercy and protection. David's relationship with God is one of trust and dependence. 3. PhilistinesThe enemies of Israel who captured David in Gath, representing the external threats and pressures David faced. 4. GathA Philistine city where David sought refuge but found himself in danger, highlighting the context of his plea for divine intervention. 5. MenThe adversaries who are relentlessly pursuing David, symbolizing the constant challenges and opposition believers may face. Teaching Points Dependence on God's MercyRecognize that in times of distress, our first response should be to seek God's mercy, acknowledging our dependence on Him. Facing Adversity with FaithLike David, we can face our adversaries and challenges with confidence, knowing that God is our protector and refuge. The Reality of Spiritual WarfareUnderstand that the "men" who hound us can represent spiritual battles we face, and we must be vigilant in prayer and trust in God. God's Unchanging CharacterTrust in God's consistent nature; His mercy and protection are available to us just as they were to David. Living Out MercyAs recipients of God's mercy, we are called to extend mercy to others, reflecting God's character in our interactions. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding the historical context of David's capture in Gath enhance our interpretation of Psalm 56:1? 2. In what ways can we apply David's example of seeking God's mercy in our own times of distress? 3. How do the themes of mercy and protection in Psalm 56:1 connect with Jesus' teachings in the New Testament? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to remind ourselves of God's mercy and protection when facing spiritual or physical adversaries? 5. How can we actively demonstrate God's mercy to others in our daily lives, and what impact might this have on our communities? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 57Another psalm where David seeks God's mercy and protection, showing a pattern of reliance on God during times of trouble. 1 Samuel 21:10-15The historical context of David's capture in Gath, providing background to his plea in Psalm 56. Matthew 5:7Jesus' teaching on mercy, connecting the plea for God's mercy with the call for believers to be merciful. 2 Corinthians 12:9Paul's experience of God's grace being sufficient in weakness, paralleling David's reliance on God's mercy amidst adversity. People David, Psalmist, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Attack, Attacks, Attempting, Chief, Choirmaster, Cruel, Daily, David, Destruction, Distant, Dove, Dumb, Elem, Far-off, Favour, Fighting, Foemen, Gath, Gracious, Gt, Hold, Hotly, Jonath, Jonathelem-rechokim, Jonath-elem-rehokim, Lands, Leader, Lt, Makes, Merciful, Mercy, Michtam, Miktam, Music, Musician, Music-maker, O, Oaks, Oppress, Oppresses, Oppresseth, Overseer, Philistines, Poem, Press, Psalm, Pursue, Rehokim, Secret, Seized, Silent, Swallow, Swallowed, Taking, Terebinths, Trample, Trampled, Treasure, Tune, WantsDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 56:1 4528 trees Psalm 56: 5088 David, character
5420 music Psalm 56:1-2 5086 David, rise of
5214 attack
5559 stress Psalm 56:1-4 8754 fear Library March 27. "What Time I am Afraid, I Will Trust in Thee" (Ps. Lvi. 3).
"What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee" (Ps. lvi. 3). We shall never forget a remark Mr. George Mueller once made in answer to a gentleman who asked him the best way to have strong faith. "The only way," replied the patriarch of faith, "to learn strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testings." This is very true. The time to trust is when all else fails. Dear one, if you scarcely realize the value of your present opportunity, if you are …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth A Song of Deliverance
'For Thou hast delivered my soul from death: hast Thou not delivered my feet from falling? that I may walk before God in the light of the living.'--PSALM lvi. 13 (R.V.). According to the ancient Jewish tradition preserved in the superscription of this psalm, it was written at the lowest ebb of David's fortunes, 'when the Philistines took him in Gath,' and as you may remember, he saved himself by adding the fox's hide to the lion's skin, and by pretending to be an idiot, degraded as well as delivered …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Fear and Faith
What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee. 4. ... In God I have put my trust: I will not fear.'--PSALM lvi. 3, 4. It 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. It is found occasionally in earlier books of the Bible in different connections, never in regard to man's relations …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture January the Thirtieth Irresistible Artillery
"When I cry unto Thee, then shall mine enemies turn back." --PSALM lvi. But it must be a real "cry"! It must not be an idle recitation which sheds no blood. It must be a cry like the cry of the drowning, a cry which cleaves the air like a bullet. Said a man to me some while ago, "Assault the heavens with cries for me!" That is the cry which takes the kingdom by storm. When such a cry rends the heavens, "my enemies turn back." A secret and irresistible artillery begins to play upon them, and their …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year Now this Election the Apostle Demonstrating to Be...
17. Now this election the Apostle demonstrating to be, not of merits going before in good works, but election of grace, saith thus: "And in this time a remnant by election of grace is saved. But if by grace, then is it no more of works, otherwise grace is no more grace." [2672] This is election of grace; that is, election in which through the grace of God men are elected: this, I say, is election of grace which goes before all good merits of men. For if it be to any good merits that it is given, …
St. Augustine—On Patience Motives to Holy Mourning
Let me exhort Christians to holy mourning. I now persuade to such a mourning as will prepare the soul for blessedness. Oh that our hearts were spiritual limbecs, distilling the water of holy tears! Christ's doves weep. They that escape shall be like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity' (Ezekiel 7:16). There are several divine motives to holy mourning: 1 Tears cannot be put to a better use. If you weep for outward losses, you lose your tears. It is like a shower …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 The Providence of God
Q-11: WHAT ARE GOD'S WORKS OF PROVIDENCE? A: God's works of providence are the acts of his most holy, wise, and powerful government of his creatures, and of their actions. Of the work of God's providence Christ says, My Father worketh hitherto and I work.' John 5:17. God has rested from the works of creation, he does not create any new species of things. He rested from all his works;' Gen 2:2; and therefore it must needs be meant of his works of providence: My Father worketh and I work.' His kingdom …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Degrees of Sin
Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous? Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. He that delivered me unto thee, has the greater sin.' John 19: 11. The Stoic philosophers held that all sins were equal; but this Scripture clearly holds forth that there is a gradual difference in sin; some are greater than others; some are mighty sins,' and crying sins.' Amos 5: 12; Gen 18: 21. Every sin has a voice to speak, but some …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments A Few Sighs from Hell;
or, The Groans of the Damned Soul: or, An Exposition of those Words in the Sixteenth of Luke, Concerning the Rich Man and the Beggar WHEREIN IS DISCOVERED THE LAMENTABLE STATE OF THE DAMNED; THEIR CRIES, THEIR DESIRES IN THEIR DISTRESSES, WITH THE DETERMINATION OF GOD UPON THEM. A GOOD WARNING WORD TO SINNERS, BOTH OLD AND YOUNG, TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION BETIMES, AND TO SEEK, BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, TO AVOID, LEST THEY COME INTO THE SAME PLACE OF TORMENT. Also, a Brief Discourse touching the …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Great Shepherd
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. I t is not easy for those, whose habits of life are insensibly formed by the customs of modern times, to conceive any adequate idea of the pastoral life, as obtained in the eastern countries, before that simplicity of manners, which characterized the early ages, was corrupted, by the artificial and false refinements of luxury. Wealth, in those …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 56:1 NIVPsalm 56:1 NLTPsalm 56:1 ESVPsalm 56:1 NASBPsalm 56:1 KJV
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