Focused Passage

Psalms 56:1-4

Trusting God's Word When Fear and Enemies Press In

Psalm 56 moves from plea under relentless pursuit, to fear disciplined by trust in God's word, to exposure of twisted speech and hidden plots, to assurance that God records tears, to repeated confidence that mortal humanity is not ultimate, and finally to vows of thanksgiving for deliverance from death.

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath.

1Be 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.

3When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.

4In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 1

Cross-references

1 Samuel 21:8BSB references Psalms 138:7Classic cross-references Psalms 16:1Classic cross-references Psalms 57:1Classic cross-references Psalms 57:3Classic cross-references 1 Samuel 29:4Classic cross-references

Original words

Be merciful to meחָנֵּ֣נִיH2603Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singularO Godאֱ֭לֹהִיםH430Noun - masculine pluralforכִּֽי־H3588Conjunctionmenאֱנ֑וֹשׁH582Noun - masculine singularare hounding meשְׁאָפַ֣נִיH7602Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singularallכָּל־H3605Noun - masculine singular constructdayהַ֝יּ֗וֹםH3117Article | Noun - masculine singularthey pressיִלְחָצֵֽנִי׃H3905Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singulartheir attackלֹחֵ֥םH3898Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular

BSB notes

Miktam is probably a musical or liturgical term; used for Psalms 16 and 56–60.

Verse 2

Cross-references

2 Corinthians 4:8Classic cross-references Psalms 27:1Classic cross-references Psalms 55:18Classic cross-references Psalms 118:10Classic cross-references Psalms 57:2Classic cross-references

Original words

My enemiesשׁ֭וֹרְרַיH8324Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singularpursue meשָׁאֲפ֣וּH7602Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralallכָּל־H3605Noun - masculine singular constructday [long]הַיּ֑וֹםH3117Article | Noun - masculine singularforכִּֽי־H3588Conjunctionmanyרַבִּ֨יםH7227Adjective - masculine pluralproudlyמָרֽוֹם׃H4791Noun - masculine singularassailלֹחֲמִ֖יםH3898Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine pluralmeלִ֣יPreposition | first person common singular

Verse 3

Cross-references

1 Peter 5:7Classic cross-references Psalms 34:4Classic cross-references Psalms 28:7Classic cross-references 1 Samuel 30:6Classic cross-references Psalms 27:13Classic cross-references

Original words

Whenי֥וֹםH3117Noun - masculine singularI am afraidאִירָ֑אH3372Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singularIאֲ֝נִ֗יH589Pronoun - first person common singularput my trustאֶבְטָֽח׃H982Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singularin Youאֵלֶ֥יךָH413Preposition | second person masculine singular

Verse 4

Cross-references

Hebrews 13:6Classic cross-references Romans 8:31Classic cross-references Psalms 118:6Classic cross-references Psalms 27:1Classic cross-references Isaiah 41:10Classic cross-references

Original words

In Godבֵּאלֹהִים֮H430Preposition-b | Noun - masculine pluralwhose wordדְּבָ֫ר֥וֹH1697Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularI praiseאֲהַלֵּ֪לH1984Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singularin Godבֵּאלֹהִ֣יםH430Preposition-b | Noun - masculine pluralI trustבָּ֭טַחְתִּיH982Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singularI will notלֹ֣אH3808Adverb - Negative particlebe afraidאִירָ֑אH3372Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singularWhatמַה־H4100Interrogativecan manבָשָׂ֣רH1320Noun - masculine singulardoיַּעֲשֶׂ֖הH6213Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularto meלִֽי׃Preposition | first person common singular

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