Psalm 56 Introduction

Structure and Formatting

Psalm 56 is a psalm of supplication or lament. It includes all the basic elements of that type of psalm. (Some elements are repeated.) See the discussion of the types of psalms in the introduction to the book of Psalms. 1. Cry for help (1a) 2. Description of troubles (1b–2) 3. Statement of trust (3–4) 4. Description of troubles (5–6) 5. Petition (7–8) 6. Statement of trust (9–11) 7. Vow of praise (12–13)The superscription to this psalm identifies it as a “miktam.” See the discussion of that term in the introduction to Psalms.As its superscription indicates, the background to this psalm is an episode related in [1 Samuel 21:10–15](../1sa/21/10.md) in which David fled from King Saul to the Philistine city of Gath, and the Philistines, recognizing that he was a great Israelite military commander, imprisoned him. It may be helpful to read that episode before translating this psalm.

Translation Issues in This Psalm

Variation between “you” and “he”

In verses 1–3, 8, and 12, David addresses God directly as “you.” In verses 4 and 9–11, he speaks about him as “God.” This variation of pronouns reflects the flow of a psalm of supplication from a cry for help to a description of troubles and statement of trust to a petition to a vow of praise. However, if it would not be natural in your language to switch back and forth between second-person and third-person pronouns, you could use second-person pronouns throughout the psalm, as some versions do. For example, in verses 4, 10, and 11, you might say “I praise your word” and “in you, God, I trust.” In verse 9, you might say “you, God, are for me.”

Note 1 topic: translate-unknown

לַ⁠מְנַצֵּ֤חַ

(la⁠mənaʦʦēaḩ)

See how you translated the term “chief musician” in the superscription to Psalm 4. Alternate translation: [For the leader of worship music] or [For the music director]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

עַל־י֬וֹנַת אֵ֣לֶם רְ֭חֹקִים

(ˊal-yōnat ʼēlem rəḩoqīm)

See how you translated the similar expression “On Sheminith” in the superscription to Psalm 6. Alternate translation: [Set to the tune Yonath Elem Rehoqim] or [Perform in the Yonath Elem Rehoqim style]

Note 3 topic: translate-names

י֬וֹנַת אֵ֣לֶם רְ֭חֹקִים

(yōnat ʼēlem rəḩoqīm)

The words that the ULT translates as A Faraway Silent Dove could also mean “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of the ULT. Alternate translation: [A Dove on Distant Oaks]

Note 4 topic: translate-transliterate

מִכְתָּ֑ם

(miktām)

The superscription to this psalm identifies it as a miktam. Since the meaning of this word is not certain, you may wish to represent it in its Hebrew form and spell it the way it sounds in your language. See the discussion of that term in the Introduction to Psalms.

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

בֶּֽ⁠אֱחֹ֨ז אֹת֖⁠וֹ פְלִשְׁתִּ֣ים בְּ⁠גַֽת

(be⁠ʼₑḩoz ʼot⁠ō fəlishtim bə⁠gat)

This superscription is referring to events related in [1 Samuel 21:10–15](../1sa/21/10.md). If it would be helpful to your readers, you could describe these events more fully. Alternate translation: [David wrote this song when he fled from Saul to the Philistine city of Gath, hoping he would be safe there, but the Philistines seized him]