Psalms 56 in the early church
47 passages quote, allude to, or echo Psalms 56, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.
Verses: 1 · 2 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13
Psalms 56:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 56:1 (55:2 LXX) | PG 12:1065 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 56:1 (55:2 LXX) | PG 12:1465 (Ps 54–55 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 56:1 (55:1 LXX) | Letter to Marcellinus 12 · Athanasius of Alexandria | allusion, high confidence | uncertain, after 335 |
| Ps 56:1 (55:1 LXX) | Letter to Marcellinus 20 · Athanasius of Alexandria | allusion, medium confidence | uncertain, after 335 |
| Ps 56:1 (55:1 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 55.1 · Hilary of Poitiers | allusion, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 56:1–2 (55:2-Ps Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 55.3 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 56:1–13 (55:1-Ps LXX) | Psalm 55 · Apollinaris of Laodicea | quotation, high confidence | uncertain (fourth to sixth century) |
| Ps 56:1 (55:2 Vulg.) | Sermon 97.2 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 56:1 (55:2 Vulg.) | Sermon 97.4 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
Psalms 56:2
My enemies pursue me all day long, for many proudly assail me.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 56:2 (55:3 LXX) | Commentary on Romans 3.5 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406) |
| Ps 56:2–4 (55:3-Ps Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 55.4 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 56:2 (55:3 LXX) | On Virginity 15 · Gregory of Nyssa | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–371 |
| Ps 56:2 (55:3 LXX) | Letter 106.32 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
Psalms 56:4
In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 56:4 (55:5 LXX) | PG 12:1465 (Ps 54–55 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 56:4 (55:5 LXX) | Defence of His Flight 20 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 357 |
| Ps 56:4 (55:5 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 55.5 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 56:4 (55:5 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 43.4.2 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 56:4 (55:5 Vulg.) | Sermon 154.12 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 56:4 (55:5 Vulg.) | Sermon 156.8 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
Psalms 56:5
All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 56:5–6 (55:6-Ps Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 55.6 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
Psalms 56:6
They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 56:6 (55:7 LXX) | PG 12:1465 (Ps 54–55 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
Psalms 56:7
In spite of such sin, will they escape? In Your anger, O God, cast down the nations.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 56:7 (55:8 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 55.7 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 56:7 (55:8 LXX) | Letter 106.32 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Ps 56:7 (55:8 LXX) | Sermon 26.14 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 56:7 (55:8 Vulg.) | Sermon 169.3 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 56:7 (55:8 LXX) | On Patience 17 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 415 |
| Ps 56:7 (55:8 Vulg.) | On the Predestination of the Saints 6 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 428/429 |
Psalms 56:8
You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle—are they not in Your book?
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 56:8 (55:9 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 55.8 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 56:8 (55:9 LXX) | Letter 130.20 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Ps 56:8 (55:9 LXX) | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 37.38.2 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Ps 56:8 (55:9 LXX) | Sermon 31.5 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
Psalms 56:9
Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 56:9 (55:10 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 55.9 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 56:9–10 (55:10-Ps Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 55.10 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
Psalms 56:10
In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 56:10–11 (55:11-Ps Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 55.11 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 56:10 (55:11 Vulg.) | On the Christian Faith 3.3 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 378–380 |
| Ps 56:10 (55:11 LXX) | Letter 94.2 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Ps 56:10 (55:11 Vulg.) | Sermon 47.27 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 56:10 (55:11 Vulg.) | Sermon 48.1 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 56:10 (55:11 Vulg.) | Letters 45.2 · Paulinus of Nola | quotation, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Ps 56:10–11 (55:11-Ps LXX) | Homilies on the First Epistle of John 10.5 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 407 |
Psalms 56:11
in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 56:11 (55:12 Vulg.) | To Quirinus 3.10 · Cyprian of Carthage | quotation, high confidence | ca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later) |
| Ps 56:11 (55:12 Vulg.) | Sermon 47.27 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 56:11 (55:12 Vulg.) | Sermon 97.4 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 56:11 (55:12 Vulg.) | Sermon 156.8 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
Psalms 56:12
Your vows are upon me, O God; I will render thank offerings to You.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 56:12–13 (55:13-Ps Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 55.12 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 56:12 (55:13 LXX) | Letter 188.7 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
Psalms 56:13
For You have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 56:13 (55:14 LXX) | PG 12:1465 (Ps 54–55 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |