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.
BSB

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.
BSB

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?
BSB

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.
BSB

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.
BSB

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.
BSB

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?
BSB

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.
BSB

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,
BSB

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?
BSB

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.
BSB

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.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Ps 56:13 (55:14 LXX)	PG 12:1465 (Ps 54–55 LXX) · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 220-254