Psalm 56:2

2 Es schnauben meine Feinde den ganzen Tag; denn viele befehden mich in Hochmut.

Psalm 56:2 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 56:2

Mine enemies would daily swallow [me] up
For not one man only, but many, were his enemies; who observed and watched him, and were eagerly desirous of his ruin. The believer has many enemies, sin, Satan, and the world, seeking to devour and destroy him, though they cannot;

for [they be] many that fight against me, O thou most High;
he appeals to God, who dwells on high, and sees all things, for the truth of this, that he had many enemies both at Gath and in Israel; as well as applies to him for help, he being higher than they. Some render the words, "for [they] be many that fight against me from on high" ^F17, or "highly" {r}, proudly and haughtily. Aben Ezra gives a very different sense,

``I have many angels on high that fight for me.''

But (Mwrm) , "marom", is an epithet of God, as in ( Psalms 92:8 ) ( Micah 6:6 ) ; and so it is interpreted by Jarchi and Kimchi; and also by the Targum, which renders it, O God most High; and adds,

``whose throne is on high;''

which is approved by Gussetius ^F19.

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FOOTNOTES:

F17 (Mwrm) "a sublimi", Junius & Tremellius; "ex alto", Cocceius; so Arab vers. and Michaelis.
F18 "Elato animo", Musculus; so some in Vatablus; "superbe", Gejerus.
F19 Ebr. Comment. p. 783.

Psalm 56:2 In-Context

1 Dem Vorsänger, nach: "Die Taube der fernen Terebinthen". Von David, ein Gedicht, als die Philister ihn zu Gath ergriffen. Sei mir gnädig, o Gott! Denn es schnaubt nach mir der Mensch; den ganzen Tag mich befehdend, bedrückt er mich.

2 Es schnauben meine Feinde den ganzen Tag; denn viele befehden mich in Hochmut.

3 An dem Tage, da ich mich fürchte, vertraue ich auf dich.

4 In Gott werde ich rühmen sein Wort; auf Gott vertraue ich, ich werde mich nicht fürchten; was sollte das Fleisch mir tun?

5 Meine Worte verdrehen sie den ganzen Tag, alle ihre Gedanken sind wider mich zum Bösen.