THE HEADING (PSALMS 56:1 A). ‘For the Chief Musician; set to Yonath elem rehokim (‘the silent dove of far off places (or ‘men')'). A Psalm of David. Michtam; when the Philistines took him in Gath. This is another Psalm dedicated to the Choirmaster or Chief Musician (the head of music). A Michtam ma... [ Continue Reading ]
‘All day long they wrest my words, All their thoughts are against me for evil.' So now that he is in Philistine territory David finds that he has not escaped from trouble. It still dogs him ‘all day long'. The Philistines are suspicious of this Israelite fugitive who has come among them, and they... [ Continue Reading ]
A DESCRIPTION OF HIS ENEMIES TACTICS AS THEY CLOSE IN ON HIM (PSALMS 56:5). These words could still refer to his enemies in Israel, but it seems more likely that they have his current situation in mind as a fugitive among the Philistines. When he arrived among them it would not be surprising if he... [ Continue Reading ]
AN EXPRESSION OF HIS TRUST IN GOD IN THE FACE OF HIS ENEMIES (PSALMS 56:8). His confidence lies in the fact that he knows that he is the chosen of YHWH, that God is keeping count of his wanderings, and has stored up his tears. Thus he knows that God is ‘for him', and that those who are opposing him... [ Continue Reading ]
AN EXPRESSION OF HIS GRATITUDE TO GOD FOR HIS DELIVERANCE (PSALMS 56:12). Having prayed through to total confidence in God David now gives thanks for the certainty of his deliverance. God has delivered him in the past and he is confident that God will go on delivering him. Psalms 56:12 Your vows... [ Continue Reading ]