Psalms 56:1,2 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Be merciful unto me, O God This petition includes all the good we can come unto the throne of grace for: if we obtain mercy there, we obtain all we can desire, and need no more to make us happy. It implies, likewise, our best plea; not our merit, but God's mercy, his free, rich mercy. He prays he might find mercy with God, for with men he could find none. When he fled from the cruel hands of Saul, he fell into the cruel hands of the Philistines. “Lord,” says he, “be thou merciful to me, or I am undone.” Thus, when we are surrounded on all sides with difficulties and dangers, we must flee and trust to, and pray in faith for, the mercy of God. For man Hebrew, אנושׁ, enosh, weak, mortal, and miserable man, whom thou canst crush in an instant; would swallow me up Like wild and ravenous beasts, rather than men. Hebrew, שׁאפני, sheapani, hath swallowed me up. The thing is begun, and in a manner done, if thou do not miraculously prevent it. Mine enemies שׁוררי, shoreri, my observers, who narrowly mark all my paths, and watch for my halting, and for an opportunity to destroy me. They be many that fight against me They trust to their great numbers, wherein they know themselves to be much superior to me; O thou Most High Who from thy high place beholdest all their plots, and canst with perfect ease confound and blast them.