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Lutheran reading notes

In Psalms chapter 56, the wisdom literature continues to explore prayer, worship, lament, praise, and trust in God. Lutheran interpretation often emphasizes humanity’s limitations and the need to rely on God's grace and promises. The chapter highlights the contrast between human striving and the faithfulness of God.

Theme: Wisdom, prayer, and faithful living Key people: Wise figures Key place: Israel Liturgical use: Wisdom lections
1 [To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath.] Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. {Michtam...: or, A golden Psalm of David}
Psalms 56:1 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2 Mine enemies would daily swallow {me} up: for {they be} many that fight against me, O thou most High. {enemies: Heb. observers}
Psalms 56:2 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
Psalms 56:3 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
Psalms 56:4 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts {are} against me for evil.
Psalms 56:5 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.
Psalms 56:6 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7 Shall they escape by iniquity? in {thine} anger cast down the people, O God.
Psalms 56:7 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: {are they} not in thy book?
Psalms 56:8 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9 When I cry {unto thee}, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God {is} for me.
Psalms 56:9 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10 In God will I praise {his} word: in the LORD will I praise {his} word.
Psalms 56:10 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
Psalms 56:11 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12 Thy vows {are} upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.
Psalms 56:12 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: {wilt} not {thou deliver} my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?
Psalms 56:13 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.