The Book of Psalms
Psalm 56
Psalm LVI · Vol. II, p. 1022
1 David, praying to God in confidence of his word, complaineth of his enemies. 9 He professeth his confidence in God's word, and promiseth to praise him.
To the chief musician upon Jonath-elem-rechokim, Michtam1 of David, when the aPhilistines took him in Gath.
2 Mine enemies3 would daily cswallow me up: for they be dmany that fight against me, O ethou most High.4
4 Inh God I will praise his word: in God I have put my trust;5 I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
6 Theyj gather themselves together, they hide themselves, kthey mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.
8 Thouo tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
o Mal.3.16. Mat.10.30. 2 Co.11.26. Is.63.9.
9 Whenp I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; qfor God is for me.
p Ps.55.16; 34.4-7,15-22.
q He.13.6. Ro.8.31. Ge.18.14. Ps.46.1,11.
13 Foru thou hast delivered my soul from death:8 wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?
u Ps.18.16-19; 116.8,9. 2 Co.1.10. Ge.17.1. Job 33.30. Lu.1.74,75.
8 The complete parallelism between these words and Ps.16.10. Ac.2.27, can leave no doubt that the speaker is Christ.—C.
Notes
Ver. 8. David wandered over nearly the whole of southern Palestine when Saul was pursuing him. In no spot was he safe, save amid the strongholds of the mountains. There is allusion in the mention of the bottle for tears, to the very ancient custom of preserving tears in little glass vessels, called lachrymatories. The last clause is somewhat obscure. The meaning would seem to be that all the afflictions and sorrows which visited him were well known to God. P.—A map of the recorded 'wanderings,' or journeying of our Lord, is one of the most impressive sights for the human eye. Of his 'tears,' we know that twice he publicly wept, Lu. 19. 41; Jn. 11. 35; and that they flowed more frequently than recorded, Paul clearly declares. But his wanderings give us rest; his tears secured our joy. C.
Ver. 10. See note on ver. 4. In God—that is, in God, as revealed by his name or attribute of power to Abraham, Ge. 17. 1; and in Jehovah, as revealed to Moses by his name or attribute of uncaused and eternal existence, Ex. 3. 14. C.
Reflections.—How inveterate is the enmity of the wicked against Jesus Christ and his people! With unanimity, cruelty, malice, restlessness, and craft, they exert themselves to destroy them, while they spy out their ways, wrest their words, and wait for their halting. But blessed are those trials which drive us nearer to God. Strong faith is necessary when troubles and dangers are very great. But the unchangeable promise of God, yea and amen in Christ, is not only sufficient ground of trust but of cordial praise. No enemies that we can have are too great for God to humble, or too secure, strong, or daring to withstand his blow. They who have him for their friend need not fear the impotent threats or strokes of human worms. Saints may, nay must, weep in prayer for a time; but God regards every word, every tear; and will soon make them issue in praise to the weepers and in lasting ruin to their enemies. It is reasonable then that vows made, as well as mercies received, should animate us to trust in, pray to, serve and praise him, while we live in the enjoyment of the light of his countenance.