Psalms 56 TO THE CHIEF MUSICIAN UPON JONATH ELEM RECHOKIM, MICHTAM OF DAVID, WHEN THE PHILISTINES TOOK HIM IN GATH. <<UPON JONATH ELEM RECHOKIM>> S. R. Hirsch translates this as meaning, "Upon the silenced dove, of those that are far away".  He says that the dove represents David in captivity and in a state of helplessness though the hopes and aspirations of those that are far away are bound up with him. Targum Yehonatan says that the "Silent Dove" represents the People of Israel in moments of vulnerability. <<MICHTAM>>:  S. R. Hirsch says that "michtam" means "tenet" or "memorial" to be always remembered.  When we succeed we should remember the times we were down and out and when we have power we should recollect what it was like to be at the mercy of others. Abraham Iben Ezra says that "michtam" means something of great value like a precious jewel and so too is the message in this Psalm.   [Psalms 56:1] BE MERCIFUL UNTO ME, O GOD: FOR MAN WOULD SWALLOW ME UP; HE FIGHTING DAILY OPPRESSETH ME.    We need the help of the Almighty to overcome all our adversaries  on both the physical and psychic levels.                   [Psalms 56:2] MINE ENEMIES WOULD DAILY SWALLOW ME UP: FOR THEY BE MANY THAT FIGHT AGAINST ME, O THOU MOST HIGH.   David was the King of Israel and he embodied the spirit of Israel for all time.  There are always numerous potent adversaries against Judah and Israel constantly wanting to devour us alive.                     [Psalms 56:3] WHAT TIME I AM AFRAID, I WILL TRUST IN THEE.    On the day that I ave cause to be afraid I willput my trust in you.                    [Psalms 56:4] 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 56:5] EVERY DAY THEY WREST MY WORDS: ALL THEIR THOUGHTS ARE AGAINST ME FOR EVIL. All day long they struggle to interpret what I have said as saying something that I did not intend, sonething bad.                        [Psalms 56:6] THEY GATHER THEMSELVES TOGETHER, THEY HIDE THEMSELVES, THEY MARK MY STEPS, WHEN THEY WAIT FOR MY SOUL. They do not always reveal thewir enmity or their evil designs against me but lie in wait for me to slip up, for amoment when I show weakness when they can pounce on me.                       [Psalms 56:7] SHALL THEY ESCAPE BY INIQUITY? IN THINE ANGER CAST DOWN THE PEOPLE[S], O GOD.  They are evil and have evil designs. God please do not let them succeed if only for the sake of Divine Justice.  Do not let evil doing succeed.  <<PEOPLE>>: In Hebrew "amim" meaning "peoples" in the plural.  All the nations of the world are plotting against Israel or at least waiting for an opportunity to be antagonistic towards her.                    [Psalms 56:8] THOU TELLEST MY WANDERINGS: PUT THOU MY TEARS INTO THY BOTTLE: ARE THEY NOT IN THY BOOK? David is asking the Almighty to give him a balance of credit for all the sufferings and privations he has had to endure.                        [Psalms 56:9] WHEN I CRY UNTO THEE, THEN SHALL MINE ENEMIES TURN BACK: THIS I KNOW; FOR GOD IS FOR ME.  When I call to God HE helps me and my enemies at some level or other know this. Therefore when they see that I am able to call on the Almighty they will instinctively fall back.                      [Psalms 56:10] IN GOD WILL I PRAISE HIS WORD: IN THE LORD WILL I PRAISE HIS WORD.     Through the word of God we are helped to know how to praise HIM and through this praise can effect mighty deeds.                  [Psalms 56:11] IN GOD HAVE I PUT MY TRUST: I WILL NOT BE AFRAID WHAT MAN CAN DO UNTO ME.                        [Psalms 56:12] THY VOWS ARE UPON ME, O GOD: I WILL RENDER PRAISES UNTO THEE. Vows are a powerful weapon but based on Scriptural indications the Sages advise us in this age to abstain from making vows as much as possible.                       [Psalms 56:13] 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?   The fear of God gives life and vitality and richness of living. The source of life in both quanitiy and quality is from the Almighty.