PSALM LVI _David prays for support against his enemies, whose wickedness_ _he describes_, 1-6; _and foretells their destruction_, 7; _expresses his confidence in God's mercy, expects deliverance,_ _and promises thanksgiving and obedience_, 8-13. NOTES ON PSALM LVI The _title_ of this Psalm i... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 56:2. _O THOU MOST HIGH._] מרום _marom_. I do not think that this word expresses any attribute of God, or indeed is at all addressed to him. It signifies, literally, _from on high_, or _from a_ _high_ or _elevated place_: "For the multitudes fight against me from the high or elevated pl... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 56:4. _IN GOD I WILL PRAISE HIS WORD_] באלהים _belohim_ may mean here, _through God_, or _by the help of God, I will praise his_ _word_. And, that he should have cause to do it, he says, "In God I have put my trust," and therefore he says, "I will not fear what flesh can do unto me." Ma... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 56:5. _EVERY DAY THEY WREST MY WORDS_] They have been spies on my conduct continually; they collected all my sayings, and wrested my words out of their proper sense and meaning, to make them, by _inuendos_, speak treason against Saul. They are full of evil purposes against me.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 56:6. _THEY GATHER THEMSELVES TOGETHER_] They form cabals; have secret meetings and consultations how they may most effectually destroy me, under the pretense of justice and safety to the state. _THEY HIDE THEMSELVES_] They do all secretly. _THEY MARK MY STEPS_] They are constantly at... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 56:7. _SHALL THEY ESCAPE BY INIQUITY?_] Shall such conduct go unpunished? Shall their address, their dexterity in working iniquity, be the means of their escape? No. "In anger, O God, wilt thou cast down the people.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 56:8. _THOU TELLEST MY WANDERINGS_] Thou seest how often I am obliged to _shift the place_ of my _retreat_. I am hunted every where; but thou _numberest_ all my _hiding-places_, and seest how often I am in danger of losing my life. _PUT THOU MY TEARS INTO THY BOTTLE_] Here is an allusi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 56:9. _WHEN I CRY_ UNTO THEE, _THEN SHALL MINE ENEMIES TURN_ _BACK_] As soon as they know that I call upon thee, then, knowing that thou wilt hear and save, my enemies will immediately take flight. The cry of faith and prayer to God is more dreadful to our spiritual foes than the war-wh... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 56:10. See on Psalms 56:4, where the same words occur.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 56:11. Psalms 56:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 56:12. _THY VOWS_ ARE _UPON ME_] I have promised in the most solemn manner to be thy servant; to give my whole life to thee; and to offer for my preservation sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving. Reader, what hast thou _vowed_ to God? To renounce the devil and all his works, the pomps... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 56:13. _THOU HAST DELIVERED MY SOUL FROM DEATH_] My _life_ from the _grave_, and my _soul_ from _endless perdition_. _MY FEET FROM FALLING_] Thou hast preserved me from taking any false way, and keepest me steady in my godly course; and so supportest me that I may continue to _walk bef... [ Continue Reading ]