John Trapp on Psalms 56:1

PSAL. LVI.

VPon Jonath Elens Rechakim] Meaning himſelf, who had wiſhed before the wings of a Dove, Fatua columba. Hoſ. 7.11. Pſal. 55.6. and was now the Dove of dumbneſs among Foreiners, Philiſtines, thoſe ravenous Hawks that were ready to ſeize and tear him. Dumb he was fain to feign himſelf, and worſe amongſt them. See Pſal. 34. the title, 1 Sam. 21.17. &c. and therein was more of the Serpent than of the Dove.

Michtam of David] Davidi inſigne aureolum, Davids Jewel, or golden ingot. See Pſal. 16. title. This Michtam he made likely (as alſo Pſal. 34.) when gotten away from Gath, he came into the Cave of Adullam, 1 Sam. 22.1.

Carmina ſeceſſum ſcribentis & otia quaerunt.

Verſ. 1. Be mercifull unto me, O God: for man would ſwallow me up] Soop me up (as the Hebrew word ſoundeth) make but one draught of mee, or ſuck mee in as a Whirlpool, ſwallow mee up as a ravenous wild Beaſt. The Devil is ſaid to ſeek whom he may ſwallow down (1 Pet. 5.8.) at a gulp, as it were; and his Imps are as greedy, but that they are gagg'd by God. The man here mentioned is Iſhbibenob the brother of Goliah, ſaith the Chaldee: but they do better, who underſtand it of Saul, and his complices.

He fighting daily oppreſſeth me] Pliny ſaith of the Scorpion, that there is not one minute, wherein it doth not put forth the ſting: The like do Satan and his Inſtruments.