Psalms 56 (GNV)

Chapter Text

56:1 To him that excelleth. A Psalme of David on Michtam, concerning the dumme doue in a farre countrey, when the Philistims tooke him in Gath. Be mercifull vnto me, O God, for man would swallow me vp: he fighteth continually and vexeth me.

56:2 Mine enemies would dayly swallowe mee vp: for many fight against me, O thou most High.

56:3 When I was afrayd, I trusted in thee.

56:4 I will reioyce in God, because of his word, I trust in God, and will not feare what flesh can doe vnto me.

56:5 Mine owne wordes grieue me dayly: all their thoughtes are against me to doe me hurt.

56:6 They gather together, and keepe them selues close: they marke my steps, because they waite for my soule.

56:7 They thinke they shall escape by iniquitie: O God, cast these people downe in thine anger.

56:8 Thou hast counted my wandrings: put my teares into thy bottel: are they not in thy register?

56:9 When I cry, then mine enemies shall turne backe: this I know, for God is with me.

56:10 I will reioyce in God because of his worde: in the Lord wil I reioyce because of his worde.

56:11 In God doe I trust: I will not be afrayd what man can doe vnto me.

56:12 Thy vowes are vpon me, O God: I will render prayses vnto thee.

56:13 For thou hast deliuered my soule from death, and also my feete from falling, that I may walke before God in the light of the liuing.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "light", "excelleth", "psalme", "david", "michtam", "concerning", "dumme", and "doue". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "light" and "excelleth", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The local GNV text gives this verse as the immediate unit, so "light" and "excelleth" carries the first interpretive weight. In Psalms context, the local focus is worship, trust, the LORD's kingship, and covenant mercy.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "light" and "excelleth" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.