Psalm 56 Bible Commentary

John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes

(Read all of Psalm 56)

Verse 4

[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.

Will praise — I will praise the Lord for his word, for his promises of protection and deliverance, made to his people.

Flesh — Infirm and mortal men, called flesh by way of contempt, as Isaiah 31:3.

Verse 6

[6] They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.

They gather — After they have severally employed their thoughts against me, they meet together to compare them, and to put them in execution.

Hide — They lurk secretly, that they may pry into my most private actions.

Steps — That they may find some occasion to reproach me.

Soul — Or, life, to take it away.

Verse 7

[7] Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.

Escape — Shall they secure themselves by injurious and malicious practices.

The people — These who are mine enemies.

Verse 8

[8] Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

Wanderings — How I have been hunted from place to place.

Put — Regard and pity them.

Are they not — But why do I pray to God to do that which he hath already done?

Verse 12

[12] Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.

Thy vows — I had made vows to express my gratitude, and resolve to perform them.

Verse 13

[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?

Walk — That I may serve and glorify thee.

The light — ln this life.