Psalms 56:2

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Mine enemies {H8324}{H8802)} would daily {H3117} swallow {H7602}{H8804)} me up: for they be many {H7227} that fight {H3898}{H8802)} against me, O thou most High {H4791}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Those who are lying in wait for me would trample on me all day. For those fighting against me are many. Most High,

Berean Standard Bible

My enemies pursue me all day long, for many proudly assail me.

American Standard Version

Mine enemies would swallow me up all the day long; For they are many that fight proudly against me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 56:2 is a profound lament from David, vividly portraying the relentless and overwhelming nature of his adversaries who seek his complete destruction. Faced with numerous and persistent enemies, David cries out to God, acknowledging Him as "the Most High," the supreme authority capable of delivering him from his dire circumstances. This verse encapsulates the psalmist's deep vulnerability when surrounded by hostile forces, yet simultaneously reveals his unwavering trust in God's transcendent power and ultimate sovereignty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 56 is designated a "Michtam of David," a term possibly indicating a "golden psalm" or a psalm of deep reflection, often associated with a specific musical or poetic form. It functions primarily as a lament, characterized by a discernible shift from intense fear and complaint (as seen in [Psalm 56:1-2](/psalms/56-1-2 "Psalm 56:1-2 - David's Plea Amidst Persecution")) to a robust declaration of trust and confidence in God (evident in [Psalm 56:3-4](/psalms/56-3-4 "Psalm 56:3-4 - Trusting God in Fear") and [Psalm 56:8-11](/psalms/56-8-11 "Psalm 56:8-11 - God Remembers David's Tears and Delivers")). Verse 2, with its potent imagery of being "swallowed up" by adversaries, powerfully establishes the psalmist's profound distress, setting the emotional and spiritual stage for his subsequent pivot to faith. This lament, while deeply personal, resonates universally with all who experience overwhelming opposition and persecution.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The superscription of Psalm 56 explicitly links it to David's perilous flight to Gath, "when the Philistines took him." This specific historical event is recounted in [1 Samuel 21:10-15](/1-samuel/21-10-15 "1 Samuel 21:10-15 - David's Flight to Gath and Feigned Madness"), detailing a period when David, relentlessly pursued by King Saul, sought refuge in the Philistine city of Gath. However, he was recognized there by the servants of King Achish, placing him in an extremely dangerous predicament—caught between the hostile Israelite king and the traditional, formidable enemies of Israel, the Philistines. The Philistines were a powerful Aegean people, a constant military and cultural threat to Israel, often depicted as formidable warriors. David's desperate act of feigning madness in Gath underscores the extreme vulnerability and existential threat he faced, making his cry in [Psalm 56:2](/psalms/56-2 "Psalm 56:2 - David's Enemies") a deeply personal and historically grounded appeal. His address to God as "Most High" (Hebrew: _Elyon_) is an ancient, majestic title for God, emphasizing His supreme authority and transcendence above all earthly powers and threats, serving as a crucial theological anchor for David in his desperate situation.

* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 56 and the broader book of Psalms. The theme of **Overwhelming Opposition** is central, as David describes his enemies as "many" and seeking to "daily swallow [him] up," highlighting the relentless and pervasive nature of his persecution. This leads directly to the theme of **Desperate Plea**, where David, recognizing his utter helplessness against such forces, turns directly to God. Crucially, the address "O thou most High" introduces the profound theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Transcendence**. Despite the immediate, tangible threats, David appeals to the ultimate power, acknowledging God's supreme position above all human and earthly powers. This sets the stage for the overarching theme of **Trust in God Amidst Fear**, where the psalmist's initial terror gives way to a profound declaration of faith in the One who is greater than all his adversaries, as powerfully articulated in [Psalm 56:3-4](/psalms/56-3-4 "Psalm 56:3-4 - Trusting God in Fear").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **daily (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** From a root meaning "to be hot," this word refers to a day, either literal (sunrise to sunset) or figurative (a defined space of time). In this context, it is used adverbially to emphasize the continuous, unceasing nature of the threat David faces. It conveys a sense of relentless, unending persecution, suggesting that the danger is not episodic but a constant, pervasive reality in his life.
* **swallow (Hebrew, _shâʼaph'_):** A primitive root meaning "to inhale eagerly," "to cover," or "to devour." Figuratively, it implies consuming or absorbing completely. This verb paints a vivid and terrifying picture of total annihilation, not merely defeat. The enemies' intent is not just to overcome David but to utterly obliterate him, leaving no trace. This imagery conveys the profound sense of being overwhelmed and facing an existential threat.
* **many (Hebrew, _rab'_):** This adjective, derived from a root meaning "to be abundant," denotes a great number or quantity, as well as abundance in size, age, rank, or quality. When applied to enemies, it emphasizes their numerical superiority and the sheer impossibility of David overcoming them by his own strength. It underscores the feeling of being outnumbered and outmatched, intensifying the psalmist's sense of vulnerability and desperation.
* **most High (Hebrew, _mârôwm'_):** From a root meaning "to be high," this noun signifies altitude, an elevated place, or abstractly, elevation. It is used here as a majestic title for God, emphasizing His supreme exaltation, transcendence, and ultimate power. By addressing God as "Most High," David appeals to the One who possesses absolute sovereignty and is capable of intervening decisively against any earthly opposition, no matter how formidable or numerous.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Mine enemies would daily swallow [me] up":** This clause vividly portrays the relentless and pervasive nature of the threat David faced. The adverb "daily" emphasizes the continuous, unceasing pressure and danger, suggesting that his life was a constant struggle for survival. The powerful metaphor of being "swallowed up" illustrates the enemies' desire for his complete destruction, a total engulfment that would erase his existence and identity.
* **"for [they be] many that fight against me":** This provides the reason for David's feeling of being overwhelmed. The sheer number of his adversaries ("many"), coupled with their active and aggressive opposition ("fight against me"), creates a profound sense of helplessness and desperation. It highlights the vast disparity in strength between David and his foes, underscoring his inability to contend with them on his own.
* **"O thou most High":** This is a direct, desperate, and ultimately hopeful invocation of God. By addressing God as "the Most High," David acknowledges His supreme authority, transcendence, and ultimate power over all earthly circumstances and adversaries. It is a declaration of faith that despite the overwhelming human opposition, there is a divine power far superior, to whom he can appeal for deliverance and protection, recognizing God as his only true refuge.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 56:2 employs several powerful literary devices to convey David's profound distress and underlying faith. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, specifically in the phrase "swallow [me] up," which depicts David's enemies not merely as human adversaries but as a ravenous, devouring beast seeking to consume him entirely. This vivid imagery evokes a primal sense of terror and vulnerability, emphasizing the totality of the threat. **Hyperbole** is also present with the word "daily," which exaggerates the frequency of the attacks to convey the incessant and relentless nature of the persecution, suggesting an overwhelming, continuous threat that never ceases. Furthermore, the direct address "O thou most High" is an example of **Apostrophe**, where the speaker directly addresses an absent person or an abstract entity (in this case, God). This intensifies the personal and fervent nature of David's prayer, highlighting his immediate and desperate appeal to God as his only hope and ultimate recourse. Collectively, these devices contribute to the psalm's profound **Pathos**, effectively conveying David's intense fear and desperation while simultaneously underscoring his unwavering trust in God's supreme power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 56:2 resonates deeply with the biblical understanding of God's sovereignty over all creation and His attentiveness to the cries of His people, particularly when they are oppressed. David's desperate plea to "the Most High" is a profound theological statement, affirming that even in the face of overwhelming human opposition, God remains supreme, transcendent, and absolutely capable of delivering His faithful. It underscores the truth that true refuge is found not in human strength, alliances, or cunning, but solely in the omnipotent God who hears and acts. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our ultimate recourse in times of extreme vulnerability is to appeal to the One who is above all, capable of turning the tide against any adversary and bringing about deliverance.

* [Psalm 27:1](/psalms/27-1 "Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?")
* [Psalm 97:9](/psalms/97-9 "Psalm 97:9 - For You, Lord, are high above all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods.")
* [Psalm 18:3](/psalms/18-3 "Psalm 18:3 - I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 56:2 offers profound comfort and a clear pathway for believers navigating overwhelming opposition in their own lives. Whether facing literal adversaries, relentless personal struggles, spiritual attacks, or societal pressures that threaten to consume, David's cry provides a template for our own response. It encourages us to honestly acknowledge the intensity of our fears and the multitude of our challenges, recognizing that it is not a sign of weakness to feel "swallowed up" by circumstances. The crucial step, however, is to turn our gaze upward, just as David did, and appeal to "the Most High." This verse reminds us that our God is not merely powerful, but supremely powerful, transcendent over every earthly and spiritual foe. Our ultimate refuge and source of deliverance is found in His sovereign hand. Therefore, even when fear is palpable and our situation seems dire, we are called to place our trust in His unchanging character and His ability to deliver, finding strength to endure and hope for eventual triumph.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you currently feel "swallowed up" by opposition or overwhelming circumstances?**
* **How does acknowledging God as "the Most High" change your perspective on your current struggles and the perceived power of your adversaries?**
* **What practical steps can you take to daily turn your fears and anxieties into a fervent plea to God, as David did in this psalm?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of David calling God "the Most High" in this context?**

Answer: The significance of David calling God "the Most High" (Hebrew: _ʿElyōn'_, from _mârôwm_) in this context is profound. It is a theological declaration of God's supreme authority, transcendence, and ultimate power over all earthly threats and human adversaries. In a moment of extreme vulnerability, caught between King Saul and the Philistines in Gath, David appeals to the One who is above all. This title contrasts the overwhelming, numerous enemies with the singular, incomparable power of God. It asserts that no enemy, however numerous or powerful, can stand against the Almighty. It transforms David's desperate cry into an act of profound faith, affirming that his help comes from the sovereign Creator of the heavens and earth, as also seen in [Genesis 14:18-20](/genesis/14-18-20 "Genesis 14:18-20 - Melchizedek Blesses Abram") where Melchizedek blesses Abram by "God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth." It signifies that God's power is not limited by human circumstances or the strength of opposing forces, but is absolutely supreme.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's cry of being "daily swallowed up" by his enemies finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While David faced human adversaries and the threat of physical death, Jesus faced the ultimate "enemies": sin, death, and the powers of darkness. He was truly "swallowed up" by suffering, rejection, and the grave, experiencing the full weight of human opposition and divine wrath for our sake, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Wounded for Our Transgressions"). Yet, unlike David, who still lived under the shadow of future threats, Christ triumphed definitively. His resurrection from the grave demonstrates His absolute victory over the very powers that sought to "swallow Him up," fulfilling the promise that death would be swallowed up in victory ([1 Corinthians 15:54](/1-corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54 - Death Swallowed Up in Victory")). Jesus is the ultimate "Most High," not merely by title but by His very nature as God incarnate, to whom "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")). Therefore, believers who feel "swallowed up" by life's challenges or spiritual warfare find their refuge and ultimate deliverance in Christ, who has already overcome the world and its prince ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus Has Overcome the World")). In Him, we are assured that no enemy, no matter how numerous or relentless, can ultimately separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord ([Romans 8:38-39](/romans/8-38-39 "Romans 8:38-39 - Nothing Can Separate Us From God's Love")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 57:3

He shall send from heaven, and save me [from] the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.

Psalms 118:10

All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.

Psalms 118:12

They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

Psalms 9:2

I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

Acts 4:25

Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

Acts 4:27

For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

Psalms 92:1

¶ A Psalm [or] Song for the sabbath day. [It is a] good [thing] to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: