Old Testament Commentary - Psalms 56

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 56 David seeks mercy, trusts in and praisess the Lord, and thanks him for deliverance.
To the chief Musician upon Jonath-elem-rechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath.
1 BE merciful unto me, O God: for man would ^aswallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. 2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High. 3 What time I am afraid^a, I will ^atrust in thee.	3^a What time I am afraid Awkwardly stated, either 'When I am afraid' or 'Those times I am afraid' would have been more easily understood. Though we are to trust in the Lord at all times, David is stating here that in time of fear he will stand bold in the trust of the Lord. That added strength which trust in the Lord does help one to stand strong in the face of fear is David's concept being presented. Overcoming fear unto action is often the difference between failure and success. We too ought to trust in the Lord particularly when faced with fearful and overwhelming foes either real or of the mind; of societal anxieties and/or peer presures to do other than what is right; all these time of fear to do what is right one ought to trust in the Lord and stand firm.
4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my ^atrust; I will not ^bfear what flesh can do unto me. 5 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil. 6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they ^await for my soul.
7 Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God. 8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy ^abook? 9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
10 In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word. 11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
12 Thy ^avows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. 13 For thou hast delivered my ^asoul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may ^bwalk before God in the light of the living?