Psalm 56
Psalm 56: A Cry for Mercy and Trust in Adversity
Lyrics
Be merciful to me, O my God
Request for God's mercy in the face of pursuit by enemies.
For my enemies pursue me all day long
Expression of continuous pursuit by enemies throughout the day.
All day they press their attack against me
Highlighting the persistent and aggressive nature of the enemy's attack.
Be merciful to me, O my God
Reiteration of the plea for God's mercy amidst ongoing slander and pursuit.
My slanderers pursue me all day long
Specific mention of slanderers pursuing the speaker throughout the day.
Many come to attack me in their pride
Reference to many attackers driven by pride.
When I am afraid, O Lord, I will trust in You
Declaration of trust in God when facing fear.
In God alone, whose word I truly praise
Focusing on praising God's word alone.
In God I trust and I will never fear
Confidence in trusting God without fear of mortal actions.
For what can mortal man ever do to me?
Questioning the impact of mortal actions on the speaker.
They twist my words all day
Observation of enemies distorting the speaker's words.
They plot to harm me
Acknowledgment of enemy plots to cause harm.
They conspire and lurk and
Description of enemies conspiring and lurking with malicious intent.
Watch my every step
Awareness of constant surveillance and scrutiny of the speaker's actions.
Eager for a chance to take my life
Enemies eagerly awaiting an opportunity to take the speaker's life.
To take my life
Repetition for emphasis on the threat to the speaker's life.
But on no account let them escape
Request for divine intervention and justice against enemies.
In Your anger God, bring down, bring down
Call for God's anger to bring down judgment on the enemies.
Bring down but on no account let them escape
Reiteration of the plea for divine intervention, emphasizing no escape for the enemies.
In Your anger God, bring down, bring down
Repeated call for God's anger to bring down the enemies.
Bring down bring down the nations
Extension of the plea to bring down nations in God's anger.
Record my lament, O Lord
Request for God to acknowledge and record the speaker's lament.
List my tears, list my tears upon Your scroll
Asking God to take note of the tears shed by the speaker.
Then all my enemies, O Lord
Anticipation that enemies will retreat when the speaker calls for divine help.
Will turn back when I call for help
Outcome expected when seeking divine assistance against enemies.
By this I will know that God is for me
Expression of confidence in God's support based on praising His word.
In God Whose word I praise
Continued trust in God expressed through praise for His word.
In the Lord Whose word I praise
Emphasis on trust in God alone, free from fear.
In God alone I trust i will not be afraid
Questioning the impact of mortal actions on the speaker's trust in God.
What can mortal man do to me?
Reiteration of confidence in God's protection from mortal harm.
I am under vows to You, O my God
Declaration of loyalty and commitment to God.
I present my offerings
Offering thank-offerings as an expression of gratitude to God.
Thank-offerings to You
Specifically presenting thank-offerings to God.
From death You have delivered me
Recognition of deliverance from death by God.
And my feet from stumbling
Acknowledgment of God's protection from stumbling or falling.
That I may walk before my God in the light
Expressing the purpose of deliverance: to walk in the light before God.
In the light
Reiteration of walking in the light of God's presence.
In the light of life, in the light of life
Desire to live in the light of life, symbolizing God's presence and guidance.
In the light of life
Repetition for emphasis on living in the light of life before God.
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