Psa 56:1 | NET2full | STEP | For the music director , according to the yonath - elem - rekhoqim style; a prayer of David , written when the Philistines captured him in Gath . Have mercy on me, O God , for men are attacking me. All day long hostile enemies are tormenting me.

‏ Psalms 56:1

Psalm 56 ^{▼▼sn Psalm 56. Despite the threats of his enemies, the psalmist is confident the Lord will keep his promise to protect and deliver him.}

For the music director, according to the yonath-elem-rekhoqim style; ^{▼▼tn The literal meaning of this phrase is “silent dove, distant ones.” Perhaps it refers to a particular style of music, a tune title, or a type of musical instrument.} a prayer ^{▼▼tn The precise meaning of the Hebrew word מִכְתָּם (miktam), which also appears in the heading to Pss 16 and 57-60 is uncertain. HALOT 582-83 s.v. defines it as “inscription.”} of David, written when the Philistines captured him in Gath. ^{▼▼sn According to the superscription, David wrote this psalm when the Philistines seized him and took him to King Achish of Gath (see 1 Sam 21:11-15).}

1 Have mercy on me, O God, for men are attacking me. ^{▼▼tn According to BDB 983 s.v. II שָׁאַף, the verb is derived from שָׁאַף (shaʾaf, “to trample, crush”) rather than the homonymic verb “pant after.”}
All day long hostile enemies ^{▼▼tn Heb “a fighter.” The singular is collective for his enemies (see vv. 5-6). The Qal of לָחַם (lakham, “fight”) also occurs in Ps 35:1.} are tormenting me. ^{▼▼tn The imperfect verbal form draws attention to the continuing nature of the enemies’ attacks.}

‏ Psalms 56:1

Psalm 56 ▼▼sn Psalm 56. Despite the threats of his enemies, the psalmist is confident the Lord will keep his promise to protect and deliver him.

Psalm 56 ^{▼▼sn Psalm 56. Despite the threats of his enemies, the psalmist is confident the Lord will keep his promise to protect and deliver him.}