Psalm 56:2

2 Mine enemies have trodden me down all the day from the dawning of the day; for there are many warring against me.

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 Have mercy upon me, O God; for man has trodden me down; all the day long he warring has afflicted me.

2 Mine enemies have trodden me down all the day from the dawning of the day; for there are many warring against me.

3 They shall be afraid, but I will trust in thee.

4 In God I will praise my words; all the day have I hoped in God; I will not fear what flesh shall do to me.

5 All the day long they have abominated my words; all their devices are against me for evil.

6 They will dwell near and hide themselves; they will watch my steps, accordingly as I have waited patiently in my soul.

7 Thou wilt on no account save them; thou wilt bring down the people in wrath.

8 O God, I have declared my life to thee; thou has set my tears before thee, even according to thy promise.

9 Mine enemies shall be turned back, in the day wherein I shall call upon thee; behold, I know that thou art my God.

10 In God, will I praise his word; in the Lord will I praise his saying.

11 I have hoped in God; I will not be afraid of what man shall do to me.

12 The vows of thy praise, O God, which I will pay, are upon me.

13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, and my feet from sliding, that I should be well-pleasing before God in the land of the living.