Psalms Chapter 56 · Verse 9

Authorized King James Version

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When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.

Original Language Analysis

אָ֨ז H227
אָ֨ז
Strong's: H227
Word #: 1 of 11
at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore
יָ֘שׁ֤וּבוּ turn H7725
יָ֘שׁ֤וּבוּ turn
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 2 of 11
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אוֹיְבַ֣י unto thee then shall mine enemies H341
אוֹיְבַ֣י unto thee then shall mine enemies
Strong's: H341
Word #: 3 of 11
hating; an adversary
אָ֭חוֹר back H268
אָ֭חוֹר back
Strong's: H268
Word #: 4 of 11
the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the west
בְּי֣וֹם When H3117
בְּי֣וֹם When
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 5 of 11
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
אֶקְרָ֑א I cry H7121
אֶקְרָ֑א I cry
Strong's: H7121
Word #: 6 of 11
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
זֶה H2088
זֶה
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 7 of 11
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
יָ֝דַ֗עְתִּי this I know H3045
יָ֝דַ֗עְתִּי this I know
Strong's: H3045
Word #: 8 of 11
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 9 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֱלֹהִ֥ים for God H430
אֱלֹהִ֥ים for God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 10 of 11
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
לִֽי׃ H0
לִֽי׃
Strong's: H0
Word #: 11 of 11

Analysis & Commentary

David's confidence that enemies will turn back 'when I cry unto thee' reveals the power of prayer. 'This I know; for God is for me' is declarative faith—not presumption but covenant confidence. The Hebrew 'li' (for me) indicates God's partisan commitment to His elect, fulfilled ultimately in Romans 8:31: 'If God be for us, who can be against us?'

Historical Context

David's experience repeatedly confirmed that calling on God brought deliverance, from his victory over Goliath (1 Samuel 17:45) to escapes from Saul's pursuit. This psalm crystallizes cumulative evidence of God's covenant faithfulness.

Questions for Reflection