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Psalms 56:1-7

Matthew Henry on Psalms 56:1-7

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

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?

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The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 56:1-13Psalms 56:1-13 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION THIS and the following have been called "twin psalms." They begin with the same words, are nearly of the same length, and have each a refrain which divides them into two portions. Formally, the chief differen…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 56:1Psalms 56:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryBe 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 f…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 56:1-13Psalms 56:1-13 · The Pulpit CommentaryFear and deliverance. Taking this psalm as David's, we may use it to illustrate two great truths. I. "THE FEAR OF MAN BRINGETH A SNARE." (Proverbs 29:25.) The best of men are but men at the best. David was a man of sple…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 56:1-13Psalms 56:1-13 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe struggle and victory of faith. The contents of this psalm may be summed up as the struggle and the victory of faith. I. THE STRUGGLE OF FAITH. He is in great fear and danger on account of the plots and wickedness of…
commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 56:1-13The struggle and victory of faith. The contents of this psalm may be summed up as the struggle and the victory of faith. I. THE STRUGGLE OF FAITH. He is in great fear and danger on account of the plots and wickedness of…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 56:1-13EXPOSITION THIS and the following have been called "twin psalms." They begin with the same words, are nearly of the same length, and have each a refrain which divides them into two portions. Formally, the chief differen…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 56:1Be 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 f…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 56:1-13Fear and deliverance. Taking this psalm as David's, we may use it to illustrate two great truths. I. "THE FEAR OF MAN BRINGETH A SNARE." (Proverbs 29:25.) The best of men are but men at the best. David was a man of sple…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 56:2Mine enemies; literally, my watchers—those who keep a continual guard over me. If David had been seized and made a prisoner by the Philistine lords, this expression would be very appropriate. Would daily swallow me up;…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 56:3What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee; literally, the day when I am afraid. When the day comes that I feel fear stealing over me, by an act of will I (even I, weak as I am) will put my trust in thee (comp. Psalms…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 56:4In God I will praise his word; rather, through God; i.e. "with God's help, by his grace," I am ready to praise whatever sentence he pronounces, whatever flat goes forth from him. In God I have put my trust (so again, Ps…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 56:5Every day they wrest my words; rather, all the day long. they wrest (or, torture) my words. They seek to give my words an evil meaning, and so to misrepresent me to Achish, their king. As Canon Cook says, "This descript…Joseph S. Exell and contributors