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Psalm 56:2
My enemies want to swallow me up all day long, for they are many who fight proudly against me.
1For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Silent Dove in Distant Lands.” A poem by David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, God, for man wants to swallow me up. All day long, he attacks and oppresses me.
2My enemies want to swallow me up all day long, for they are many who fight proudly against me.
3When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.
4In God, I praise his word. In God, I put my trust. I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?
Notice
“All day long” makes the threat feel unbroken, and the number of enemies adds the weight of being outnumbered to David’s fear.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What does David’s phrase “swallow me up” capture about the kind of threat he faces?
Write on thisWhere does “all day long” describe the pressure you want to bring before God?
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Where else Scripture says this
11 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 55:18He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, although there are many who oppose me.Both passages describe many opponents; Psalm 56 names the ongoing threat, while Psalm 55 speaks of rescue from battle.
Psalm 59:10My God will go before me with his loving kindness. God will let me look at my enemies in triumph.Enemies appear in both prayers: David describes their attacks here, while Psalm 59 expresses confidence in God’s help against them.
Psalm 118:10–12All the nations surrounded me, but in the LORD’s name I cut them off.Both speakers face numerous enemies, though Psalm 56 describes continuing attacks and Psalm 118 recounts overcoming those who surrounded him.
Psalm 57:2I cry out to God Most High, to God who accomplishes my requests for me.Both passages belong to cries for God’s help: Psalm 56 names the attackers, while Psalm 57 names God as the one who acts.
Lamentations 2:16All your enemies have opened their mouth wide against you. They hiss and gnash their teeth. They say, “We have swallowed her up. Certainly this is the day that …Both use swallowing as an image of destruction: David’s enemies want to consume him, while Jerusalem’s enemies boast that they have succeeded.
Acts 4:25–27who by the mouth of your servant David, said, ‘Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?Both describe hostile groups: David faces many attackers, while the words attributed to David in Acts describe raging nations and plotting peoples.
Isaiah 57:15For the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy, says: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble …The connection is a contrast: David’s attackers act with pride, while Isaiah describes the high and holy God dwelling with the humble.
Revelation 16:14for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole inhabited earth, to gather them together for the war of that great day …Both mention fighting, though David describes attacks against himself and Revelation describes demonic spirits gathering kings for war.
Daniel 5:18“To you, king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty.These passages share little: Daniel recounts God’s gift of royal greatness, while David describes enemies trying to overwhelm him.
Micah 6:6How shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?The connection is limited to approaching God: David seeks mercy under attack, while Micah asks how to come before him.
2 Samuel 17:16Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, ‘Don’t lodge tonight at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over, lest the king be swallowed …Both describe David facing the threat of being swallowed up; Samuel records an urgent warning to move himself and his people to safety.
Where this verse fits
Anxiety or panic. injustice and anger. fear for the future.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
Your prayer need not make danger sound small. David tells God how relentless the attacks are, then turns toward trust in God while fear is still present.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).