Psalm 56:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly.

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

NASB: My enemies have trampled upon me all day long, For they are many who fight proudly against me.

CSB: My adversaries trample me all day, for many arrogantly fight against me.

NLT: I am constantly hounded by those who slander me, and many are boldly attacking me.

KJV: Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.

NKJV: My enemies would hound me all day, For there are many who fight against me, O Most High.

David continues his lament over attacking enemies (Psalm 56:1). In this situation, he was running from the forces of king Saul (1 Samuel 19:1–2, 18; 20:1–42) and feigning insanity to distract the Philistines of Gath (1 Samuel 21:10–15). On all sides were enemies, like a pack of predators trying to take him down. David also describes their acts using a Hebrew word that is often translated as "arrogant" or "pridefully."

Christians, too, have been under attack since the founding of the worldwide church (John 16:33). Yet Jesus promised that the gates of hell will not prevail against His Church (Matthew 16:18). He said the persecution would be so intense that "whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God" (John 16:2). Not long after the church in Jerusalem was formed, wicked King Herod seized the apostle James and executed him (Acts 12:2). When that act made him popular with Jewish leaders, Herod apprehended the apostle Peter, put him in prison, and intended to execute him, too, after Passover (Acts 12:3–4). The apostle Paul was also the target of bloodthirsty attacks. He was stoned at Lystra (Acts 14:19), beaten and imprisoned at Philippi (Acts 16:18–24), assaulted in Jerusalem (Acts 21:30–36), and put on trial in Rome with the possible sentence of death (Acts 26:32; Philippians 1:7, 20–21).

David prays for God's protection as he is "oppressed" and "trampled" by his enemies. This refers to his experience in enemy territory near the city of Gath (1 Samuel 21:10–15). Despite natural fear, David chooses to trust in God. He knows the Lord will bring judgment to evil people, and that God sees everything which David has experienced. David resolves to praise the Lord once this danger has passed.

When David fled from Saul (1 Samuel 19:1–2, 18; 22:17–19), he was forced to enter enemy territory: the land of the Philistines. When he was recognized, David was captured but pretended to be insane (1 Samuel 21:10–15). This psalm reflects his prayer for safety while subject to these dangers.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.