Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 56:9
When I cry [unto thee], then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God [is] for me.
9. Then shall mine enemies turn back in the day when I call:
This I know, that [or, for] God is on my side.
For the emphatic then cp. Psa 2:5. The certainty that God is on his side is the ground of his assurance that his enemies will be put to flight. Cp. Psa 9:3; Psa 118:6.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
When I cry unto thee – This expresses strong confidence in prayer. The psalmist felt that he had only to cry unto God, to secure the overthrow of his enemies. God had all power, and his power would be put forth in answer to prayer.
Then shall mine enemies turn back – Then shall they cease to pursue and persecute me. He did not doubt that this would be the ultimate result – that this blessing would be conferred, though it might be delayed, and though his faith and patience might be greatly tried.
For God is for me – He is on my side; and he is with me in my wanderings. Compare the notes at Rom 8:31.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 56:9-11
When I cry unto Thee, then shall mine enemies turn back.
Prayer vanquishing enemies
I. This prayer implies the existence of conflict. David was pursued from place to place by: his adversaries. The Christian, too, has many enemies. Within him and around him.
II. This prayer supposes helplessness. The enemies which the Christian has to fight are numerous, potent and subtle; and he is perfect weakness.
III. A conviction that there is all needful help in God.
IV. Application to God for help. I cry unto Thee. Make me a conqueror, etc. This cry we must consider as secret, earnest and constant, and connected with confidence.
V. This prayer was successful. Then shall mine enemies turn back. This is expected from immutable promises (Isa 54:17; 2Pe 3:9). God will cause our pursuing enemies to turn back, for can they fight with omnipotence? Or He will give unto us grace, Divine armour, to enable us to stand and conquer in the evil day. Application.
1. How great the privilege of having an interest in the Divine favour.
2. How exposed and wretched is the sinner. (Helps for the Pulpit.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 9. When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back] As soon as they know that I call upon thee, then, knowing that thou wilt hear and save, my enemies will immediately take flight. The cry of faith and prayer to God is more dreadful to our spiritual foes than the war-whoop of the Indian is to his surprised brother savages.
This I know] I have often had experience of the Divine interposition; and I know it will be so now, for God is with me. He who has God WITH him need not fear the face of any adversary.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
When I have no other arms or force, which is my present case, my prayers shall be sufficient to overthrow mine enemies.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
9. God is for meor, “onmy side” (Psa 118:6; Psa 124:1;Psa 124:2); hence he is sure ofthe repulse of his foes.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
When I cry [unto thee],…. In prayer;
then shall mine enemies turn back; great is the strength of prayer; the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous avails much against their enemies: when Moses lifted up his hands, Israel prevailed: the cases of Asa, Jehoshaphat, and Hezekiah, prove it; this David was assured of, and knew it to be true by experience, his prayer being often the prayer of faith in this respect;
this I know: for God [is] for me; he knew that when he prayed his enemies would flee; because God was on his side, who is greater than they; or by this he knew that God was for him, and was his God, by hearing his prayers, and causing his enemies to turn back: or, however, let things go how they will, this he was assured of, that he had a covenant interest in God, and who would be his God and guide even unto death.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
9. When I cry, then shall mine enemies turn back. Here he boasts of victory with even more confidence than formerly, specifying, as it were, the very moment of time when his enemies were to be turned back. He had no sensible evidence of their approaching destruction but from the firm reliance which he exercised upon the promise, he was able to anticipate the coming period, and resolved to wait for it with patience. Though God might make no haste to interpose, and might not scatter his enemies at the very instant when he prayed, he was confident that his prayers would not be disappointed: and his ground for believing this was just a conviction of the truth, that God never frustrates the prayers of his own children. With this conviction thoroughly fixed in his mind, he could moderate his anxieties, and calmly await the issue. It is instructive to notice, that David, when he would secure the obtainment of his request, does not pray in a hesitating or uncertain spirit, but with a confident assurance of his being heard. Having once reached this faith, he sets at defiance the devil and all the host of the ungodly.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
9. Here is the transition point of the psalm from sorrow and complaint to assured faith and praise.
When I cry He dates the flight, the “turning backward” of his enemies, at the day of his earnest outcry to God.
This I know He knew it by faith. God’s word had assured him by the mouth of Samuel, and his triumph is already a reality.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 56:9 When I cry [unto thee], then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God [is] for me.
Ver. 9. When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back ] For how should they stand before so mighty a God? Of the power of prayer for the beating back of enemies, besides the Scripture, histories are full; that famous Victoria Halleluiatica for instance.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
When I cry unto Thee = In the day of my cry.
for = that.
for me = mine.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
When: Psa 118:11-13, Exo 17:9-11, Jer 33:3
then: Psa 18:38-42, Psa 27:2, Joh 18:6
for: Psa 46:7, Psa 46:11, Isa 8:9, Isa 8:10, Rom 8:31
Reciprocal: Exo 17:11 – General 2Sa 22:4 – so 2Sa 22:18 – delivered Psa 4:3 – the Lord Psa 21:12 – Therefore Psa 118:6 – The Lord Psa 124:1 – The Lord Psa 138:7 – thou shalt stretch Psa 143:9 – flee unto thee Dan 11:17 – upright ones 2Co 5:1 – we know 2Ti 1:12 – for I