Psalm 56:1

Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.

Cross-references

Psalm 143:12 asks God to cut off enemies in steadfast love—a similar plea for deliverance from adversaries, reinforcing the same trust.

Psalm 27:2 Parallel

Psalm 27:2 uses the same image of enemies advancing to devour, but expresses confidence they will stumble and fall.

Psalm 69:13-16 pleads for deliverance from deep waters, echoing the same cry for God's steadfast love in distress.

Psalm 57:1 Parallel

Psalm 57:1 begins with the exact same plea 'Have mercy on me, my God' and refuge imagery, making it a close parallel.

Psalm 4:1 Parallel

Psalm 4:1 is a parallel plea for mercy and relief from distress — same cry for God's help.

Psalm 119:134 asks for redemption from oppression — a parallel plea for deliverance from human enemies.

Psalm 118:13 describes being pushed by enemies but God helped — a parallel experience of enemy attack and divine rescue.

Psalm 86:3 Parallel

Psalm 86:3 cries for mercy and calls all day — a direct parallel to the daily plea for mercy here.

Psalm 38:19 Parallel

Psalm 38:19 mentions many enemies without cause — a parallel to the relentless enemies here.

Psalm 31:13 Parallel

Psalm 31:13 describes enemies conspiring and terror — a parallel situation of being surrounded by hostile plots.

Psalm 25:2 Parallel

Psalm 25:2 expresses trust that enemies won't triumph — a parallel theme of relying on God against enemies.

Psalm 138:7 Parallel

Psalm 138:7 shifts from plea to confidence, affirming God's deliverance amid trouble — a hopeful counterpart to this cry.

Psalm 35:25 Parallel

Psalm 35:25 mentions enemies saying 'We have swallowed him up' — a similar threat of being devoured.

Psalm 123:3 Parallel

Psalm 123:3 echoes this cry for mercy, pleading for relief from contempt — a parallel lament over oppression.

Psalm 124:3 Parallel

Psalm 124:3 says enemies 'would have swallowed us alive' — a vivid parallel to the pressing attack here.

1 Samuel 21:11–15 Historical context

In 1 Samuel 21:11-15, David feigns madness before Achish—the exact event behind this psalm's superscription, showing the historical context of his plea for mercy.

Lamentations 2:16 has enemies boasting 'We have swallowed her up' — directly echoing the threat of being devoured.

Amos 8:4 Allusion

Amos 8:4 uses the same Hebrew verb 'trample' to condemn oppressors — here the psalmist is the victim, there the guilty.

Habakkuk 1:13 questions God's silence when the wicked swallow the righteous — a deeper theological lament on the same problem.

Proverbs 1:12 depicts sinners plotting to 'swallow them alive' — similar violent intent as the enemies here.

Jeremiah 18:19 similarly cries out against adversaries, asking God to hear — a direct parallel in lament.