Psalms 56–13
Psalm 56:1-13
Psa.56.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- למנצח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- יונת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אלם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רחקים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- לדוד: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מכתם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- באחז: PREP+VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- בגת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 21:10-15 (structural): Narrative context for the superscription: David’s dangerous encounter at Gath when he was among the Philistines and feigned madness — the historical incident alluded to in the psalm heading.
- Psalm 34 (title) (structural): Another psalm whose superscription refers to the same episode in Gath (David’s deceit/feigned madness before a Philistine ruler); both headings link the psalms to the same biographical moment.
- Psalm 16:1 (verbal): Shares the rare superscription term 'מִכְתָּם' (Miktam), connecting Psalm 56 to a small group of psalms of this liturgical/genre label.
- 1 Samuel 27:2-7 (allusion): Background material about David’s association with Achish and residence among the Philistines at Gath, providing broader context for the psalm’s setting and danger from Philistines.
Alternative generated candidates
- To the choirmaster. Upon the Silent Dove of Far Places. A Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him at Gath.
- To the choirmaster. Concerning the Silent Dove of Distant Lands. A Miktam of David—when the Philistines seized him in Gath.
Psa.56.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- חנני: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כי: CONJ
- שאפני: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אנוש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ילחצני: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 69:1-2,15 (verbal): Uses the same swallowing/deep-water imagery—petition that the flood or the deep not 'swallow' the psalmist, echoing 'men would swallow me up.'
- Psalm 22:12-13 (verbal): Enemies are depicted as surrounding the sufferer with gaping mouths/'they gaped upon me with their mouths,' a similar image of being devoured by hostile men.
- Psalm 31:9-12 (thematic): A direct plea for God's mercy because of crushing distress and hostile men who oppress and seek the psalmist's life—parallel theme of persecution and appeal for help.
- Psalm 55:4-8 (thematic): Describes fear, oppression and assault by enemies (including betrayal by a close one) and the psalmist's cry for relief—comparable daily pressure and threat from people.
- Psalm 56:3 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same psalm: after pleading for mercy because men would 'swallow' him, the psalmist offers a resolve of trust—shows the Psalm's movement from plea to trust.
Alternative generated candidates
- Be gracious to me, O God, for men have trampled me; all day long foes press upon me.
- Be gracious to me, O God, for men would swallow me up; all day long they press upon me—strife oppresses me.
Psa.56.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- שאפו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שוררי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+1,m,sg
- כל: DET
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- רבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- לחמים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- מרום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 34:4 (thematic): Both link the experience of fear with turning to the LORD for deliverance—Psalm 56:3 trusts in God when afraid; Psalm 34:4 recounts seeking the LORD and being delivered from fears.
- Psalm 118:6 (verbal): Closely parallels the language of confidence: ‘The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid,’ echoing Psalm 56:3’s trust in God in the face of fear.
- Isaiah 12:2 (verbal): Uses nearly identical rhetoric—‘Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid’—expressing the same trust-into-fear motif as Psalm 56:3.
- Psalm 27:1 (thematic): Both verses assert fearless confidence grounded in the LORD’s presence and protection (‘The LORD is my light and salvation… whom shall I fear?’).
- Proverbs 3:5 (thematic): Emphasizes trust in the LORD as the appropriate response in uncertainty or danger—paralleling Psalm 56:3’s turning to God when afraid.
Alternative generated candidates
- My adversaries pursue me all day, for there are many who contend against me.
- My pursuers follow me all day; for there are many who contend against me, O Most High.
Psa.56.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- יום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אירא: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- אליך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- אבטח: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 27:1 (thematic): Both declare trust in God as the antidote to fear—God as salvation/stronghold removes need to be afraid.
- Isaiah 41:10 (thematic): God’s command and promise to not fear because of His presence and help parallels the psalmist’s resolution to trust when afraid.
- Proverbs 3:5 (verbal): Direct exhortation to 'trust in the LORD' echoes the psalmist’s personal statement of trusting God in fear.
- Psalm 34:4 (thematic): Testimonial link—seeking the LORD in fear and receiving deliverance parallels the psalmist’s reliance on God when afraid.
- Nahum 1:7 (thematic): Affirms God as a reliable refuge in trouble, supporting the psalmist’s decision to trust God amid fear.
Alternative generated candidates
- When I am afraid I will trust in you.
- On the day I fear, I will trust in you.
Psa.56.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- באלהים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אהלל: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,c,sg
- דברו: INF,qal,inf+3ms
- באלהים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בטחתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- אירא: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- בשר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 118:6 (verbal): Same rhetorical question and assurance: 'The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?' mirrors 'In God I have trusted... What can flesh do to me?'."
- Hebrews 13:6 (quotation): Direct New Testament citation of the same confidence: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?' echoing the psalm's trust-language.
- Romans 8:31 (thematic): Same theological thrust of divine protection and the futility of human opposition: 'If God is for us, who can be against us?'."
- Psalm 27:1 (thematic): Parallel expression of fearless trust in God—'The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?'—which grounds refusal to fear human threats.
- Isaiah 41:10 (thematic): Prophetic assurance against fear based on God's presence and help ('Fear not... I am with you'), echoing the psalmist's confidence that flesh cannot ultimately harm him.
Alternative generated candidates
- In God I will praise his word; in God I have put my trust—I will not fear; what can a man do to me?
- In God I will praise his word; in God I have put my trust—I will not fear; what can flesh do to me?
Psa.56.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כל: DET
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- יעצבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- כל: DET
- מחשבתם: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3,m,pl
- לרע: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 140:2-5 (verbal): Speaks of enemies who 'imagine mischief' and devise words against the speaker—language and imagery closely parallel the psalmist's complaint about plotted words and evil intent.
- Psalm 64:2-3 (verbal): Describes secret plotting and 'shooting' words to harm the blameless; parallels the theme of conspiratorial speech and malicious thoughts directed at the righteous.
- Psalm 35:20-21 (verbal): Enemies use smooth or flattering words while concealing hostile intentions—echoes the contrast between spoken words and inward plans for evil in Ps. 56:6.
- Proverbs 6:12-14 (thematic): Portrays the wicked as someone who continually devises evil and plots mischief—a proverbial articulation of the same moral behavior the psalmist attributes to his adversaries.
- Jeremiah 20:10 (thematic): The prophet reports people whispering and plotting to harm him; thematically parallels the experience of constant hostile thoughts and schemes directed against a faithful sufferer.
Alternative generated candidates
- All day long they devise words against me; all their thoughts are for evil.
- All day long their words are against me; all their thoughts are for evil.
Psa.56.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- יגורו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- יצפונו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- עקבי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ישמרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כאשר: CONJ
- קוו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- נפשי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1cs
Parallels
- Psalm 64:6 (verbal): Speaks of enemies who "wait secretly" and set snares—closely parallels the language of lurking, hiding, and watching the psalmist’s steps (Heb. יצפונו, יגורו).
- Psalm 31:13 (thematic): Describes whispering conspirators who take counsel against the psalmist and seek his life—shares the theme of hostile foes lying in wait and plotting his downfall.
- Psalm 140:4 (verbal): Speaks of the wicked setting a snare for the psalmist’s feet and devising secret schemes—parallels the imagery of tracking/marking the psalmist’s steps and treachery.
- Psalm 35:11 (thematic): Relates how false witnesses and malicious enemies rise against the psalmist with lies and plots—connects to the verse’s picture of enemies stalking and watching to harm him.
Alternative generated candidates
- They lie in ambush, they conceal themselves; they watch my steps as those who seek my life.
- They lie in ambush, they hide; they mark my steps, watching as those who long for my life.
Psa.56.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- על: PREP
- און: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פלט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למו: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- באף: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עמים: NOUN,pl,m,abs
- הורד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 39:13 (thematic): Both pleas appeal to God regarding tears and suffering—asking God not to be unresponsive to the psalmist’s tears and misery (the motif of lament and tears).
- Malachi 3:16 (allusion): Malachi speaks of a 'book of remembrance' written before God for the faithful; Psalm 56:8’s reference to recording tears or entries in God's book uses the same legal/archival motif of God’s keeping record.
- Deuteronomy 32:35 (thematic): Deuteronomy’s declaration 'Vengeance is mine... I will repay' parallels Psalm 56:8’s call for God to bring down or punish the nations—both invoke God’s sovereign judgment against enemies.
- Psalm 79:6 (verbal): Psalm 79:6 petitions God to 'pour out thy wrath upon the nations'—language and theme that closely mirror Psalm 56:8’s appeal for God to bring judgment on hostile peoples.
Alternative generated candidates
- Shall they escape through iniquity? In your wrath, O God, cast down the peoples.
- For their iniquity they have become prey; in the wrath of peoples, O God, bring them down.
Psa.56.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- נדי: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:1
- ספרתה: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- שימה: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- דמעתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,sg
- בנאדך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss:2,m,sg
- הלא: PART
- בספרתך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:2,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 6:6 (thematic): Both verses emphasize abundant weeping in the psalmist's distress (flooding the bed with tears) and the intimate reality of the psalmist's sorrow to God—parallel to asking God to gather/store those tears.
- Psalm 34:17 (thematic): Shares the theme of God’s attentive care for the righteous’ cries: Psalm 56 asks God to note and record the psalmist’s tears, while Psalm 34 affirms that the LORD hears the righteous and delivers them.
- Psalm 69:28 (verbal): Uses the imagery of a divine 'book' (those to be blotted out of the book of the living), echoing Psalm 56’s language about God having a book in which the psalmist’s tears/movements are recorded.
- Malachi 3:16 (allusion): Speaks of a 'book of remembrance' written before God for those who fear the LORD—parallels Psalm 56’s appeal that the psalmist’s tears are noted in God’s book.
- Revelation 20:12 (thematic): Depicts heavenly books that record deeds and lives at the final judgment; thematically related to Psalm 56’s confidence that God records the psalmist’s suffering (tears) in a divine book.
Alternative generated candidates
- You have recorded my wanderings; put my tears in your bottle—are they not in your book?
- You have counted my wanderings; put my tears in your bottle—are they not recorded in your book?
Psa.56.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אז: ADV
- ישובו: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,pl
- אויבי: NOUN,m,pl,suff1
- אחור: ADV
- ביום: PREP
- אקרא: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- ידעתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- כי: CONJ
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- Romans 8:31 (verbal): Echoes the confidence that 'God is for us'—if God is for (me/us), who can be against (me/us)?—sharing the same assurance of divine support.
- Psalm 118:6 (verbal): Directly parallels the declaration 'The LORD is for me; I will not fear,' affirming trust in God's presence against enemies.
- Hebrews 13:6 (quotation): Cites the same confidence (quoting Psalm 118:6) — 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear' — applying the Old Testament assurance to believers in the New Testament.
- Exodus 14:14 (thematic): 'The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent' parallels the theme of God acting on behalf of the one who calls so that enemies are put to flight.
- Psalm 37:39-40 (thematic): Speaks of the LORD as deliverer and stronghold who rescues the righteous from their enemies, echoing the trust that God will turn back foes when called.
Alternative generated candidates
- When I call, my enemies shall turn back; this I know, that God is for me.
- Then shall my enemies turn back in the day I call; this I know—that God is for me.
Psa.56.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- באלהים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אהלל: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,_,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ביהוה: PREP+PN,sg
- אהלל: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,_,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 34:1 (verbal): Declaration to bless/praise the LORD continually — similar language about praising God with the mouth.
- Psalm 138:2 (thematic): Praises God's name and explicitly honors/exalts God's word; connects the act of praise with God's revelation/word.
- Psalm 119:172 (verbal): “My tongue shall speak of thy word” — a close verbal parallel stressing speaking/praising God's word.
- Psalm 119:171 (verbal): “My lips shall pour forth praise” — parallels the vow to praise God’s word with the lips/tongue.
- Hebrews 13:15 (allusion): New Testament echo of the Psalms’ theme: offering praise to God as the fruit of the lips—continuation of the verbal-praise tradition.
Alternative generated candidates
- In God I will praise his word; in the LORD I will praise his word.
- In God I will praise his word; in the LORD I will praise his word.
Psa.56.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- באלהים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בטחתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- אירא: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 118:6 (verbal): Contains the same wording and rhetorical question: 'The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?,' closely matching the trust formula in Ps 56:12.
- Hebrews 13:6 (quotation): New Testament citation of Psalm 118:6 ('The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'), echoing the same confession of trust found in Ps 56:12.
- Psalm 27:1 (thematic): Expresses the same theme of fearless trust in God with the parallel question 'Of whom shall I be afraid?,' emphasizing confidence in the LORD as deliverer and protector.
- Proverbs 29:25 (thematic): Contrasts fear of man with trust in the LORD ('Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe'), reflecting the same theological principle behind Ps 56:12.
Alternative generated candidates
- In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid—what can man do to me?
- In God I have put my trust; I will not fear—what can man do to me?
Psa.56.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- נדריך: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אשלם: VERB,qal,impf,1,comm,sg
- תודת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 116:8-9 (verbal): Very close verbal parallel—both speak of God delivering the psalmist's life from death and the resolve to 'walk before the LORD in the land of the living.'
- Psalm 40:2 (thematic): Shares the motif of rescue from a life-threatening condition and being set on firm ground ('brought me up... set my feet upon a rock'), echoing deliverance and steadiness of walk.
- Psalm 18:36-37 (thematic): Speaks of God establishing and enlarging the psalmist's steps so his feet do not slip—parallel imagery of secure walking after divine deliverance.
- Psalm 30:3-4 (verbal): Describes God raising the psalmist's soul from the grave and preserving life so he would not descend to the pit—similar language of rescue from death and giving life.
Alternative generated candidates
- Your vows are upon me, O God; I will repay them—thank offerings I will give to you.
- To you, O God, I will fulfill my vows; I will render thanksgiving to you.
To the choirmaster. On the Silent Dove of Far-off Places. A Michtam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.
Be gracious to me, O God, for men trample me; all day they press upon me and oppress me.
My enemies pursue me all day—many there are who fight against me; yea, many rise up against me.
When I am afraid I will put my trust in you.
In God I will praise his word; in God I have put my trust—I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?
All day long their words are against me; all their schemes are for my harm.
They lie in ambush; they hide and watch my steps, seeking to take my life.
Deal with them according to their wickedness; let your anger bring down the nations, O God.
You have kept account of my wanderings; put my tears in your bottle—are they not in your book?
Then shall my enemies turn back in the day when I call; this I know, that God is for me.
In God I will praise his word; in the LORD I will praise his word.
In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
To you, O God, I will pay my vows; I will render thank-offerings to you.