David, praying to God in confidence of his word, complaineth of his enemies: he professeth his confidence in God's word, and promiseth to praise him.
To the chief Musician upon Jonath-elem-rechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath.
Title. רחקים אלם יונת על al ionath eilem rechokiim. Upon Jonath-elem-rechokim] Upon the silent dove afar off. Or, according to Bochart, "To the tune of the dove in the remote woods." Thus David might call himself, when, after many wanderings, he got into the forest of Hareth; where he had leisure to reflect upon what was past, and to compose this psalm. Fenwick would render it, "Concerning the oppression of the handful, or little flock afar off;" i.e. the little flock of true believers dispersed among the Gentiles. The psalm is well suited to the occasion on which the inscription says it was written, and which is related 1 Samuel 21. David begins it by imploring the protection of God, on account of the many enemies waiting for his destruction; Psalms 56:1-2 who wrested his words, and narrowly watched all his actions, that they might find some pretence to cut him off: Psalms 56:5-6 but he encourages himself by trust in God, and rests assured that he will deliver him, and give him renewed occasions of acknowledging his faithfulness, and celebrating his praises.
Psalms 56:1. For man would swallow me up— The word שׁאפני sheaaphani, rendered swallow me up, properly signifies to breathe, to pant after, to draw, or snuff the air; and from thence hunt, by drawing in and following the scent of the air. And as hunting ends in the capture and destruction of the prey, it further denotes to swallow up and devour: and it is rendered in our version by panting, snuffing up, swallowing up, and devouring, and other words of the like nature. Dr. Chandler renders it by eagerly hunting after; which perfectly agrees with the character and conduct of Saul, who furiously pursued and hunted after David to destroy him.