56:1(To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of
David, 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.
56:4 In God I will praise his c word, in God I have put my
trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
(c) He stays his conscience on God's promise though he sees
no present help.
56:5 Every day they wrest my d words: all their thoughts [are]
against me for evil.
(d) All my counsels have evil success, and turn to my own
sorrow.
56:6e They gather themselves together, they hide themselves,
they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.
(e) As all the world against one man, and cannot be
satisfied unless they have my life.
56:7 Shall f they escape by iniquity? in [thine] anger cast
down the people, O God.
(f) They not only think to escape punishment, but the more
wicked they are, the more impudent they grow.
56:8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my g tears into thy
bottle: [are they] not in thy book?
(g) If God stores the tears of his saints, much more will
he remember their blood, to avenge it: and though
tyrants burn the bones, yet they cannot blot the tears
and blood out of God's register.
56:12h Thy vows [are] upon me, O God: I will render praises
unto thee.
(h) Having received that which I required, I am bound to
pay my vows of thanksgiving as I promised.
56:13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: [wilt] not
[thou deliver] my feet from falling, that I may i walk
before God in the k light of the living?
(i) As mindful of his great mercies, and giving thanks for
the same.
(k) That is, in the life and light of the sun.
