Psalm 56:1
New International Version
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, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack.

New Living Translation
O God, have mercy on me, for people are hounding me. My foes attack me all day long.

English Standard Version
Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me;

Berean Standard Bible
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack.

King James Bible
To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.

New King James Version
To the Chief Musician. Set to “The Silent Dove in Distant Lands.” A Michtam of David when the Philistines captured him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for man would swallow me up; Fighting all day he oppresses me.

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

NASB 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.

NASB 1977
Be gracious to me, O God, for man has trampled upon me; Fighting all day long he oppresses me.

Legacy Standard Bible
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; All day long, an attacker oppresses me.

Amplified Bible
To the Chief Musician; set to [the tune of] “Silent Dove Among Those Far Away.” A Mikhtam of David. [A record of memorable thoughts] when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be gracious to me, O God, for man has trampled on me; All day long the adversary oppresses and torments me.

Christian Standard Bible
For the choir director: according to “A Silent Dove Far Away.” A Miktam of David. When the Philistines seized him in Gath. † Be gracious to me, God, for a man is trampling me; he fights and oppresses me all day long.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For the choir director: according to “A Silent Dove Far Away.” A Davidic Miktam. When the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be gracious to me, God, for man tramples me; he fights and oppresses me all day long.

American Standard 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.

Contemporary English Version
Have pity, God Most High! My enemies chase me all day.

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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[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.

Good News Translation
Be merciful to me, O God, because I am under attack; my enemies persecute me all the time.

International Standard Version
Have mercy on me, God, because men have harassed me. Those who oppress me have fought against me all day long.

Majority Standard Bible
For the choirmaster. To the tune of ?A Dove on Distant Oaks.? A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack.

NET Bible
For the music director; according to the yonath-elem-rechovim style; a prayer of David, written when the Philistines captured him in Gath. Have mercy on me, O God, for men are attacking me! All day long hostile enemies are tormenting me.

New Heart English Bible
[For the Chief Musician. To the tune of "Silent Dove in Distant Lands." A poem by David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.] Be merciful to me, God, for man wants to swallow me up. All day long, he attacks and oppresses 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
For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Silent Dove in Distant Lands.” A poem by David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, God, for man wants to swallow me up. All day long, he attacks and oppresses me.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
TO THE OVERSEER. [SET] ON “A SILENT DOVE FAR OFF.” A MIKTAM OF DAVID, IN THE PHILISTINES’ TAKING HOLD OF HIM IN GATH. Favor me, O God, for man swallowed me up, "" All the day fighting he 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,

Smith's Literal Translation
To the overseer for the silent dove of those far off: to David, a poem in the rovers taking him in Gath. Compassionate me, O God, for man panted after me; warring all the day, he will press me.
Catholic Translations
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Unto the end. For the people who have become far removed from the Sacred. Of David, with the inscription of a title, when the Philistines held him in Gath.

New American Bible
For the director. According to Yonath elem rehoqim. A miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him at Gath. [2] Have mercy on me, God, for I am treated harshly; attackers press me all the day.

New Revised Standard Version
Be gracious to me, O God, for people trample on me; all day long foes oppress me;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
BE merciful to me, O God; for man has trodden me under foot; all the day long the fighting oppresses me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Show mercy upon me, God, because man has trodden upon me, and all day the warrior has persecuted me, because a multitude of warriors has risen up against me.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For the Leader; upon Jonath-elem-rehokim. [A Psalm] 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 he fighting oppresseth me.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For the end, concerning the people that were removed from the sanctuary, by David for a memorial, when the Philistines caught him in Geth. Have mercy upon me, O God; for man has trodden me down; all the day long he warring has afflicted me.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Be Merciful to Me, O God
1For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack. 2My enemies pursue me all day long, for many proudly assail me.…

Cross References
Psalm 57:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, for in You my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until the danger has passed.

Psalm 59:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise against me.

Psalm 34:4
I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 18:6
In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears.

Psalm 86:1
A prayer of David. Incline Your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.

Psalm 142:6
Listen to my cry, for I am brought quite low. Rescue me from my pursuers, for they are too strong for me.

Psalm 9:13
Be merciful to me, O LORD; see how my enemies afflict me! Lift me up from the gates of death,

Psalm 31:9
Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes fail from sorrow, my soul and body as well.

Psalm 69:16
Answer me, O LORD, for Your loving devotion is good; turn to me in keeping with Your great compassion.

Psalm 109:26
Help me, O LORD my God; save me according to Your loving devotion.

Isaiah 33:2
O LORD, be gracious to us! We wait for You. Be our strength every morning and our salvation in time of trouble.

Lamentations 3:55-56
I called on Your name, O LORD, out of the depths of the Pit. / You heard my plea: “Do not ignore my cry for relief.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, / who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; / persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. / And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.


Treasury of Scripture

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

A.

Psalm 16:1
Michtam of David. Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.

Psalm 57:1
To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.

Psalm 58:1
To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David. Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?

when

1 Samuel 21:11-15
And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands? …

1 Samuel 29:4
And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? should it not be with the heads of these men?

Be

Psalm 31:9
Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.

Psalm 57:1-3
To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast…

Psalm 59:10
The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.

swallow

Psalm 21:9
Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.

Psalm 27:2
When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

Psalm 35:25
Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.

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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
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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
Psalm 56
1. David, praying to God in confidence of his word, complains of his enemies,
9. He professes his confidence in God's word, and promises to praise him














Be merciful to me
The Hebrew root for "be merciful" is "חָנַן" (chanan), which conveys a plea for grace and favor. This word is often used in the context of seeking divine compassion and kindness. In the historical context of David's life, this plea reflects his deep reliance on God's mercy amidst relentless persecution. Theologically, it underscores the believer's dependence on God's grace, recognizing human insufficiency and the need for divine intervention.

O God
The term "God" here is "אֱלֹהִים" (Elohim), a plural form that denotes majesty and power. It is a reminder of God's sovereignty and might, which David appeals to in his distress. This invocation of Elohim highlights the psalmist's acknowledgment of God's supreme authority and his trust in God's ability to deliver him from his adversaries.

for men are hounding me
The phrase "hounding me" comes from the Hebrew "שָׁאַף" (sha'aph), meaning to pant or pursue eagerly. This imagery evokes the relentless pursuit by David's enemies, akin to predators chasing prey. Historically, David faced numerous threats from King Saul and others, making this a literal and urgent cry for help. Spiritually, it reflects the believer's experience of being pursued by trials and adversities, emphasizing the need for God's protection.

all day
This phrase indicates the continuous and unrelenting nature of the attacks David faced. It suggests a sense of weariness and the overwhelming pressure of constant adversity. In a broader spiritual sense, it can represent the ongoing struggles believers face in a fallen world, reminding them of the need for persistent faith and reliance on God.

they press their attack
The Hebrew word for "press" is "לָחַץ" (lachats), which means to squeeze or oppress. This conveys the intensity and severity of the opposition David encountered. Historically, it reflects the real and present danger from his enemies. In a spiritual context, it symbolizes the pressures and challenges that believers endure, encouraging them to seek refuge in God's strength and deliverance.

(1) Man . . .--Heb., enosh, either as in Psalm 9:19, "mortal man," or, contemptuously, "a rabble, a multitude."

Verse 1. - Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; literally, man panteth after me - like a wild beast after his prey. The contrast is sharp between "man" (enosh, "weak man") and God (Elohim, "the Mighty One"). He fighting daily oppreseeth me; rather, all the day long is he fighting and oppressing me.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For the choirmaster.
לַמְנַצֵּ֤חַ ׀ (lam·naṣ·ṣê·aḥ)
Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5329: To glitter from afar, to be eminent, to be permanent

To the tune of
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

“A Dove
י֬וֹנַת (yō·w·naṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3123: A dove

on Distant
רְ֭חֹקִים (rə·ḥō·qîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7350: Remote, of place, time, precious

Oaks.”
אֵ֣לֶם (’ê·lem)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 482: Silence

A Miktam
מִכְתָּ֑ם (miḵ·tām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4387: A technical term in psalm titles

of David,
לְדָוִ֣ד (lə·ḏā·wiḏ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

when the Philistines
פְלִשְׁתִּ֣ים (p̄ə·liš·tîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

seized
בֶּֽאֱחֹ֨ז (be·’ĕ·ḥōz)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 270: To grasp, take hold, take possession

him in Gath.
בְּגַֽת׃ (bə·ḡaṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1661: Gath -- 'wine press', a Philistine city

Be merciful to me,
חָנֵּ֣נִי (ḥān·nê·nî)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 2603: To bend, stoop in kindness to an inferior, to favor, bestow, to implore

O God,
אֱ֭לֹהִים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

men
אֱנ֑וֹשׁ (’ĕ·nō·wōš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 582: Man, mankind

are hounding me;
שְׁאָפַ֣נִי (šə·’ā·p̄a·nî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 7602: To inhale eagerly, to cover, to be angry, to hasten

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

day long
הַ֝יּ֗וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

they press
יִלְחָצֵֽנִי׃ (yil·ḥā·ṣê·nî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 3905: To squeeze, press, oppress

their attack.
לֹחֵ֥ם (lō·ḥêm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3898: To feed on, to consume, to battle


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OT Poetry: Psalm 56:1 For the Chief Musician (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 55:23
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