Psalm 56
Geneva Study Bible
<> Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.
<{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.

Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
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.

Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.
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.

They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.
{e} 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.

Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.
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.

Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
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.

When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.
In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.
In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.
{h} 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.

For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?
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.

The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599]

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