Chapter Fifty-Six

The psalm was written by David while staying in a cave. Probably the cave of Adullam is meant here, where David found refuge upon his return from the Philistines to his native land from the continued persecutions by Saul (1 Sam 22:1). “Do not destroy,” corresponding to the supplicatory content of the psalm, at the same time points to the motive of the song, after the manner of which the psalm is to be performed.

I cry out to You, Lord, for help while among enemies breathing malice against me; I believe that You will save me, for which be exalted over all the earth! (2–6) Enemies have set snares for me, but I, confident in Your protection, have prepared to meet these attacks (7–8). Rise up, Lord! I will sing among the peoples of all Your boundless greatness in Your blessings (9–12).

Psalm 56:2. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for my soul trusts in You, and in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge, until these troubles pass away. “In the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge.” An image of God’s providential care for His righteous one; just as under a hen’s wings a chick will always find sure protection, so the Lord cares for and preserves those devoted to Him.

Psalm 56:4. He will send from heaven and save me; He will put to shame the one who seeks to devour me; God will send forth His mercy and His truth. The Lord will send “His mercy and His truth”—two attributes often indicated together to characterize God’s relationship with humanity. “Mercy” is His condescension; “truth” is His faithfulness to His promises concerning the fate of the righteous, which is why He protects and favors them, and such was David, unjustly persecuted by Saul.

Psalm 56:5. My soul is among lions; I lie among those breathing flame, among the children of mankind, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and whose tongue is a sharp sword. A characterization of David’s enemies: they breathed flame (that is, malice), resembled lions whose teeth were spears and arrows, and whose tongue was a sword. Features that point to the strength and degree of cruelty of the persecutions.

Psalm 56:6. Be exalted above the heavens, O God, and let Your glory be over all the earth! David’s salvation under such grave circumstances cannot be achieved by ordinary human efforts, and therefore deliverance from them is the work of the Lord Himself, for which He should be exalted not only throughout the earth among people but also “above the heavens,” above the visible starry world, where God’s constant presence and that of His angels dwell.

Psalm 56:8. My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready: I will sing and praise. David’s faith in God’s help and protection changed his anxious and despondent mood of spirit into firm confidence in his salvation—“his heart is ready” without wavering and fear to meet all dangers and persecutions from enemies.

Psalm 56:10. I will praise You, Lord, among the peoples; I will sing of You among the tribes, David’s praise of the Lord among the peoples is fulfilled by his very composition of psalms, which, both during David’s time and after him, entered into liturgical and private use, and wherever the Psalter is sung or read, there the Lord is praised. And the Psalter found wide distribution among all peoples.

Psalm 56:11. For Your mercy is great, reaching to the heavens, and Your truth to the clouds. “Your mercy reaching to the heavens” and “Your truth to the clouds”—images pointing to the great degree of God’s love for humanity and to the strength of the protection He sends.