Read the Bible — American Standard Version · Psalms

Psalms 56

1 For the Chief Musician; set to Jonath elem rehokim. A Psalm of David. Michtam; when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be merciful unto me, O God; for man would swallow me up: All the day long he fighting oppresseth me.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • To the chief Musician H5329 (נָצַח) — properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent
  • upon Jonath–elem–rechokim H3128 (יוֹנַת אֵלֶם רְחֹקִים) — dove of (the) silence (i.e. dumb Israel) of (i.e. among) distances (i.e. strangers); the title of a ditty (used for a name of its melody)
  • Michtam H4387 (מִכְתָּם) — an engraving, i.e. (techn.) a poem
  • of David H1732 (דָּוִד) — David, the youngest son of Jesse
  • when the Philistines H6430 (פְּלִשְׁתִּי) — a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth
  • took H270 (אָחַז) — to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)
  • him in Gath H1661 (גַּת) — Gath, a Philistine city
  • Be merciful H2603 (חָנַן) — properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition)
  • unto me, O God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
  • for man H582 (אֱנוֹשׁ) — properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified 120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
  • would swallow me up H7602 (שָׁאַף) — to inhale eagerly; figuratively, to cover; by implication, to be angry; also to hasten
  • he fighting H3898 (לָחַם) — to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction)
  • daily H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
  • oppresseth H3905 (לָחַץ) — properly, to press, i.e. (figuratively) to distress

2 Mine enemies would swallow me up all the day long; For they are many that fight proudly against me.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Mine enemies H8324 (שָׁרַר) — to be hostile (only active participle an opponent)
  • would daily H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
  • swallow H7602 (שָׁאַף) — to inhale eagerly; figuratively, to cover; by implication, to be angry; also to hasten
  • many H7227 (רַב) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
  • that fight H3898 (לָחַם) — to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction)
  • against me, O thou most High H4791 (מָרוֹם) — altitude, i.e. concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)

3 What time I am afraid, I will put my trust in thee.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • What time H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
  • I am afraid H3372 (יָרֵא) — to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
  • I will trust H982 (בָּטַח) — properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as 2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure

4 In God (I will praise his word), In God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid; What can flesh do unto me?

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • In God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
  • I will praise H1984 (הָלַל) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to ce…
  • his word H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
  • I have put my trust H982 (בָּטַח) — properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as 2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
  • I will not fear H3372 (יָרֵא) — to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
  • what flesh H1320 (בָּשָׂר) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
  • can do H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

5 All the day long they wrest my words: All their thoughts are against me for evil.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Every day H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
  • they wrest H6087 (עָצַב) — properly, to carve, i.e. fabricate or fashion; hence (in a bad sense) to worry, pain or anger
  • my words H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
  • all their thoughts H4284 (מַחֲשָׁבָה) — a contrivance, i.e. (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice)
  • against me for evil H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, They mark my steps, Even as they have waited for my soul.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • They gather themselves together H1481 (גּוּר) — properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place); also to gat…
  • they hide H6845 (צָפַן) — to hide (by covering over); by implication, to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny; specifically (favorably) to protect, (unfavorably) to lurk
  • themselves, they mark H8104 (שָׁמַר) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
  • my steps H6119 (עָקֵב) — a heel (as protuberant); hence, a track; figuratively, the rear (of an army)
  • when they wait H6960 (קָוָה) — to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. collect; (figuratively) to expect
  • for my soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)

7 Shall they escape by iniquity? In anger cast down the peoples, O God.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Shall they escape H6405 (פַּלֵּט) — escape
  • by iniquity H205 (אָוֶן) — strictly nothingness; also trouble, vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol
  • anger H639 (אַף) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
  • cast down H3381 (יָרַד) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively,…
  • the people H5971 (עַם) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
  • O God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…

8 Thou numberest my wanderings: Put thou my tears into thy bottle; Are they not in thy book?

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Thou tellest H5608 (סָפַר) — properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e. celebrate
  • my wanderings H5112 (נוֹד) — exile
  • put H7760 (שׂוּם) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
  • thou my tears H1832 (דִּמְעָה) — weeping
  • into thy bottle H4997 (נֹאד) — a (skin or leather) bag (for fluids)
  • not in thy book H5612 (סֵפֶר) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book

9 Then shall mine enemies turn back in the day that I call: This I know, that God is for me.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • When H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
  • I cry H7121 (קָרָא) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
  • then shall mine enemies H341 (אֹיֵב) — hating; an adversary
  • turn H7725 (שׁוּב) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally…
  • back H268 (אָחוֹר) — the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the West
  • this I know H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
  • for God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…

10 In God (I will praise his word), In Jehovah (I will praise his word),

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • In God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
  • will I praise H1984 (הָלַל) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to ce…
  • word H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
  • in Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God

11 In God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid; What can man do unto me?

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Psalms 27:1 · Psalms 112:7 · Isaiah 51:7 · Isaiah 51:12
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • In God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
  • have I put my trust H982 (בָּטַח) — properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as 2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
  • I will not be afraid H3372 (יָרֵא) — to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
  • what man H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
  • can do H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

12 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render thank-offerings unto thee.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Thy vows H5088 (נֶדֶר) — a promise (to God); also (concretely) a thing promised
  • upon me, O God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
  • I will render H7999 (שָׁלַם) — to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate (in variou…
  • praises H8426 (תּוֹדָה) — properly, an extension of the hand, i.e. (by implication) avowal, or (usually) adoration; specifically, a choir of worshippers

13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: Hast thou not delivered my feet from falling, That I may walk before God In the light of the living?

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • For thou hast delivered H5337 (נָצַל) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
  • my soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
  • from death H4194 (מָוֶת) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
  • my feet H7272 (רֶגֶל) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
  • from falling H1762 (דְּחִי) — a push, i.e. (by implication) a fall
  • that I may walk H1980 (הָלַךְ) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
  • before H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
  • God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
  • in the light H216 (אוֹר) — illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
  • of the living H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…