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Day 169

Psalm 56:1a "Be merciful to me, O God..."

Day 169 – Psalm 56

“Be merciful to me, O God…” Psalm 56:1a

SUPERSCRIPTION

“To the Chief Musician. Set to ‘The Silent Dove in Distant Lands.’ A Michtam of David when the Philistines captured him in Gath.”

1. Standard feature

This psalm was presented to the Chief Musician.

2. Special features

a) This tune was given a title: “The Silent Dove in Distant Lands”. Unfortunately we are not able to determine what this tune was.
b) A Michtam
The exact meaning of the word “Michtam” is lost! It is a descriptive word for the type of psalm that David was writing.
c) Historical setting
David faced possible death because the Philistines and Israel were at war with each other at this time.
d) The superscription noted that he was captured by the Philistines.
e) The Title: “The Silent Dove in Distant Lands”
i) This could well be illustrative of how David felt.
ii) He was a dove that was harmless and helpless against the mighty power of hunters.

A PLEA FOR MERCY

It is not surprising that David began his psalm with a plea for mercy.

“Be merciful to me, O God, for man would swallow me up;
Fighting all day he oppresses me.”
Psalm 56:1

1. David knew and believed in a God of mercy.

2. In contrast, David knew that he could not expect mercy at all from his enemies. His only hope lay in the great mercy of God.