Psalm 56

Authorship

This Psalm was authored by David.

Outline

(This began as Wendland's Expository Outline, but may be adapted.)

I. The psalmist’s request: Be merciful unto me, O God. (1) II. The psalmist’s foes. (1-2)

A. Would swallow him up.

B. Battle him daily.

C. Oppress him.

D. Are many.

III. The psalmist’s response. (3-4)

A. What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.

B. In God I will praise His Word.

C. In God I have put my trust.

D. I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

IV. The psalmist’s foes. (5-7)

A. They wrest my words.

B. Their thoughts are against me for evil. 136

C. They gather themselves together.

D. They hide themselves.

E. They mark my steps.

F. They wait for my soul.

V. The psalmist’s response. (7-13)

A. Shall they escape by iniquity?

B. In Your anger, cast down the people, O God.

C. You know my wanderings.

D. You put my tears in Your bottle and Your book.

E. When I cry, my enemies shall turn back.

F. I praise Your Word.

G. I have put my trust in You.

H. I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

I. I will pay my vows and render praises.

J. You have delivered my soul from death and my feet from falling that I may walk before You in the light of the living.

Textual Criticism

The following is from Barthélemy's Critique textuelle de l’Ancien Testament volume on the Psalms. For a key to the various symbols and abbreviations, click here.

Ps 56,1 אֵלֶם {B} MT, α', ε', Hebr, T // midr: G / perm: σ' clav לאם

Ps 56,3(2) מָרוֹם {B} MT, α', σ', Hebr, T // lic: G / constr: S

Ps 56,7 יָגוּרוּ MT, G --> S // incert: σ', Hebr, T

Ps 56,7-8(6-7) נַפְשִׁי׃ עַל־אָוֶן {C} MT, α', σ', T // err-graph: G(?), ε', Hebr, S

Ps 56,8 פַּלֶּט־ {B} MT, G, σ', ε', Hebr, T // err-voc: α' clav פִּלֵּט / lic: S

Ps 56,9(8)A {B} MT, σ', Hebr / / paraphr: T / constr: G --> S

Ps 56,9(8)B vs 9bß {A}

Ps 56,11(10)b {B} MT, G, α', σ', Hebr // paraphr: T / homtel: S

Ps 56,14(13) הֲלֹא רַגְלַי מִדֶּחִי {A}