Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.
Psalms 56:1-13.-David entreats for deliverance from his many and virulent enemies (Psalms 56:1-2); his trust amidst fears (Psalms 56:3-4); his foes' evil thoughts and wresting of his words (Psalms 56:5-6); God cannot let them escape, for He cares for His child's tears (Psalms 56:7-8); his overflowing joy at the assurance of being heard (Psalms 56:9-11); he promises thanksgiving (Psalms 56:12-13).
Title. - To the chief Musician upon Jonath-elem-rechokim. Hengstenberg translates, 'concerning the dumb dove among strangers.' The reason why David calls himself the 'dove of dumbness' appears from Psalms 38:13. The dove represents defenseless innocence. Psalms 55:6-7, 'I would wander far off' there ( 'archiyq (H7368)) corresponds to 'strangers' here ( rªchoqiym (H7350)) and 'wanderings.' The addition, "Michtam," implies a song of deep mystical import: Psalms 56:9 implies he has a secret revelation from God. The second part of the title explains the first.
When the Philistines took him in Gath. They are the 'far-off strangers' among whom he was sojourning. David, when in their power at the time that he fled to Achish, king of Gath, from Saul, is the 'mute dove' (cf. 1 Samuel 21:13-14). Saul's 'wresting his words' into treason is referred to, Psalms 56:5; Saul's vain attempt to escape the foretold judgment, by iniquitous persecution is referred to, Psalms 56:7. In Psalms 34:1-22, David returns thanks for the deliverance which he here prays for.
Be merciful - `Be gracious unto me' х chaanan (H2603)].
For man would swallow me up - literally, 'panteth after me,' like a wild beast thirsting for my blood (Psalms 56:2; Psalms 57:3). So the verb is used in Psalms 119:131. "Man" - Hebrew, 'ªnowsh (H582), 'weak man;' marking the puny impotence of the attempt: weak man presumptuously setting himself up against the Almighty God's purpose to defend His people. The singular marks this contrast between man and God.
He fighting daily oppresseth me - or, 'he (as) an eater х locheem (H3898)] daily oppresseth me.' In Psalms 35:1 ("Fight against them that fight against me") there occurs the same Hebrew word. The image is carried on of a wild beast panting after his prey, and desiring, as an eater, to swallow it up.