Psalms 56:2

2 My adversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me.

Psalms 56:2 in Other Translations

KJV
2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
ESV
2 my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly.
NLT
2 I am constantly hounded by those who slander me, and many are boldly attacking me.
MSG
2 Not a day goes by but somebody beats me up; They make it their duty to beat me up.
CSB
2 My adversaries trample me all day, for many arrogantly fight against me.

Psalms 56:2 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 56:2

Mine enemies would daily swallow [me] up
For not one man only, but many, were his enemies; who observed and watched him, and were eagerly desirous of his ruin. The believer has many enemies, sin, Satan, and the world, seeking to devour and destroy him, though they cannot;

for [they be] many that fight against me, O thou most High;
he appeals to God, who dwells on high, and sees all things, for the truth of this, that he had many enemies both at Gath and in Israel; as well as applies to him for help, he being higher than they. Some render the words, "for [they] be many that fight against me from on high" F17, or "highly" {r}, proudly and haughtily. Aben Ezra gives a very different sense,

``I have many angels on high that fight for me.''

But (Mwrm) , "marom", is an epithet of God, as in ( Psalms 92:8 ) ( Micah 6:6 ) ; and so it is interpreted by Jarchi and Kimchi; and also by the Targum, which renders it, O God most High; and adds,

``whose throne is on high;''

which is approved by Gussetius F19.


FOOTNOTES:

F17 (Mwrm) "a sublimi", Junius & Tremellius; "ex alto", Cocceius; so Arab vers. and Michaelis.
F18 "Elato animo", Musculus; so some in Vatablus; "superbe", Gejerus.
F19 Ebr. Comment. p. 783.

Psalms 56:2 In-Context

1 Be merciful to me, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack.
2 My adversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me.
3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
4 In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
5 All day long they twist my words; all their schemes are for my ruin.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Psalms 35:25; Psalms 124:3; Psalms 57:3
  • 2. Psalms 35:1
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