Psalms 56

Psalms 56:1

THE title, [Ionath] these three Hebrew words doe signifie the dumb dove, which is in distant and remote places: Others imagine it was the beginning of a Song; to whose aire this Psalme was to be sung: Others, believe that David calleth himselfe so, being like a poore dove driven out of its own countrey, which durst not speak, and was faine to counterfeit for feare of the Philistins, 1 Samuel 21:13. [Michtham] see Psal. 16. in the title. Swallow me up] the Italian, men with open throats follow mee] they hunt after mee, and doe what, they can to destroy mee; a terme taken from ravenous beasts.

Psalms 56:2

O thou most high] the Italian, from on high, that is to say, they take advantage of their degree and might, for to over-top me: A terme taken from the advantage which high places have to command the lower ones: Others, translate it, O thvu most high.

Psalms 56:4

In God] I am confident that with Gods help, I shall have occasion to magnifie the truth of his holy promises, in which I have beleeved: [What flesh can die] that is to say, mortall man; for man is often so called from that his fraile and fading part in contempt of his pride, and for to abate it and beat it down.

Psalms 56:5

They wrest] they give me perpetuall cause of griefe and complaint.

Psalms 56:7

Shall they escape by iniquity] the Italian, it were in vaine for to deliver them, that is to say, destroy them O Lord, for they are hardened, and incurable; thy patience will never draw them to repentance, see Isaiah 26:1-21. 0. Others rranslate it, their safety is in iniquity, that is to say they put all their confidence in their deceits, as though they could free them from all dangers.

Psalms 56:8

Put thou] doe not suffer mee to spend so many teares in vaine, keep them in minde, that thou mayest bee moved through the abundance of them to restore me.

Psalms 56:12

Thy vowes are upon me] that is to say, I have vowed my selfe unto thee, and laying hold on thy deliverance with a lively faith, I doe finde my selfe obliged to performe my promise, see Proverbs 7:14.