Psa 56:1 | NETfull | STEP | For the music director; according to the yonath-elem-rechovim 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

For the music director; according to the yonath-elem-rechovim style; ^{▼▼ 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 ^{▼▼ 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. ^{▼▼ 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! ^{▼▼ According to BDB 983 s.v. II שָׁאַף, the verb is derived from שָׁאַף (sha’af, “to trample, crush”) rather than the homonymic verb “pant after.”}
All day long hostile enemies ^{▼▼ 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. ^{▼▼ The imperfect verbal form draws attention to the continuing nature of the enemies’ attacks.}