Psalm 56:1
<< Psalm 56:1 >>
New International Version (©1984)
For the director of music. To [the tune of] "A Dove on Distant Oaks." Of David. A miktam. When the Philistines had seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me; all day long they press their attack.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
For the choir director; according to Jonath elem rehokim. A Mikhtam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be gracious to me, O God, for man has trampled upon me; Fighting all day long he oppresses me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
[For the choir director; according to [yonath elem rechokim]; a [miktam] by David when the Philistines captured him in Gath.] Have pity on me, O God, because people are harassing me. All day long warriors oppress me.

King James Bible
Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.

American King James Version
Be merciful to me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresses me.

American Standard Version
Be merciful unto me, O God; for man would swallow me up: All the day long he fighting oppresseth me.

Bible in Basic English
<To the chief music-maker; put to Jonath elem rehokim. Of David. Michtam. When the Philistines took him in Gath.> Have mercy on me, O God, for man is attempting my destruction; every day he makes cruel attacks against me.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Unto the end, for a people that is removed at a distance from the sanctuary for David, for an inscription of a title (or pillar ) when the Philistines held him in Geth. Have mercy on me, O God, for man hath trodden me under foot; all the day long he hath afflicted me fighting against me.

Darby Bible Translation
{To the chief Musician. On Jonathelem-rechokim. Of David. Michtam; when the Philistines took him in Gath.} Be gracious unto me, O God; for man would swallow me up: all the day long fighting he oppresseth me.

English Revised Version
For the Chief Musician; set to Jonath elem rehokim. A Psalm of David: Michtam: when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be merciful unto me, O God; for man would swallow me up: all the day long he fighting oppresseth me.

Webster's Bible Translation
To the chief Musician upon Jonathelem-rechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.

World English Bible
Be merciful to me, God, for man wants to swallow me up. All day long, he attacks and oppresses me.

Young's Literal Translation
To the Overseer. -- 'On the Dumb Dove far off.' -- A secret treasure of David, in the Philistines' taking hold of him in Gath. Favour me, O God, for man swallowed me up, All the day fighting he oppresseth me,

Geneva Study Bible

<{a} when the Philistines took him in Gath.>> Be merciful unto me, O God: for {b} man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.

(a) Being chased by the fury of his enemies into a strange country, he was a dumb dove not seeking vengeance.

(b) He shows that if God will help him, it must be now or never for all the world is against him and ready to devour him.

King James Translators' Notes

Michtam...: or, A golden Psalm of David

Scofield Reference Notes

Margin Jonath-elem-rechokim

Meaning, "the cry of the dove of distant terebinth trees."

Margin Michtam

Michtam, a prayer.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

PSALM 56

Ps 56:1-13. Upon Jonath-elem-rechokim-literally, "upon the dove of silence" of distant places; either denoting a melody (see on [598]Ps 9:1) of that name, to which this Psalm was to be performed; or it is an enigmatical form of denoting the subject, as given in the history referred to (1Sa 21:11, &c.), David being regarded as an uncomplaining, meek dove, driven from his native home to wander in exile. Beset by domestic and foreign foes, David appeals confidently to God, recites his complaints, and closes with joyful and assured anticipations of God's continued help.

1, 2. would swallow-literally, "pants as a raging beast" (Ac 9:1).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

56:1-7 Be merciful unto me, O God. This petition includes all the good for which we come to throne of grace. If we obtain mercy there, we need no more to make us happy. It implies likewise our best plea, not our merit, but God's mercy, his free, rich mercy. We may flee to, and trust the mercy of God, when surrounded on all sides by difficulties and dangers. His enemies were too hard for him, if God did not help him. He resolves to make God's promises the matter of his praises, and so we have reason to make them. As we must not trust an arm of flesh when engaged for us, so we must not be afraid of an arm of flesh when stretched out against us. The sin of sinners will never be their security. Who knows the power of God's anger; how high it can reach, how forcibly it can strike?


1 Samuel 21:10 Then David arose and fled that day from Saul, and went to Achish king of Gath.
Psalm 17:9 From the wicked who despoil me, My deadly enemies who surround me.
Psalm 57:3 He will send from heaven and save me; He reproaches him who tramples upon me. Selah. God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth. (NASB ©1995)

Attacks Chief Choirmaster Daily David Director Distant Dove Far-Off Fighting Gath Gracious Lands Merciful Michtam Miktam Miktamwhen Music Musician Oaks Oppress Oppresses Philistines Poem Psalm Seized Silent Swallow Terebinths Trample Trampled Tune Wants

Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.

1-8 David, praying to God in confidence of his word, complains of his enemies, 9-13 He professes his confidence in God's word, and promises to praise him

A.M. 2942 B.C. 1062 (Title.) upon Konath-elem-rechokim. Or, as it may be rendered, `concerning the dumb dove, (or oppressed band) in distant places, `i.e, David, or his companions: though some consider it as the name of a tune, and others a musical instrument. Michtam, or, a golden Psalm

Ps 16:1 57:1 58:1 59:1 60:1

when 1Sa 21:11-15 29:4

Be Ps 31:9 57:1-3 59:10 69:13-16 136:10,15,17-20 143:12

swallow Ps 21:9 27:2 35:25 57:3 106:17 124:3 Pr 1:12 La 2:2,5,16 Ho 8:8 1Co 15:54

Bible Gateway: Psalms Chapter 56 Verse 1 NIV ESV NKJV NLT KJV Message Amplified

Alphabetical: A all attack Be David day director Distant Dove Fighting For Gath God gracious had has he him hotly in long man me men merciful miktamWhen music O Oaks of on oppresses Philistines press pursue seized the their they To trampled tune upon

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