Psalm 56:1-13
Q.1. When was this Psalm written by David? How was he feeling? What did David do with his fears? What gave him comfort? How did he understand his deliverance? – (Ps.56:1-13)
This Psalm was written by David when the Philistines seized him in Gath (Introduction c.f. 1 Sam.21:11-12). It expanded on the narrative, as David revealed the gist of the conversations and taunts of the Philistines during his brief captivity (Ps.56:1-2, 5-6). David was greatly afraid when the Philistines identified him as their archenemy. His approach at such times was – 3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. 4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me? (Ps.56:3-4 c.f. Ps.56:10-11). He was keenly aware of his opposition, and asked God to intervene (Ps.56:5-7). Ultimately, his fear of God was much greater than his fear of people. He was also comforted by his belief in the compassion of the Lord – 8 You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book? 9 … This I know. God is for me. (Ps.56:8-9). David had an intimate relationship with the Lord. He repeated the refrain of his song – 10 In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise. 11 In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Ps.56:10-11 c.f. Ps.56:3-4). We tend to quickly forget the goodness of God. Not so David, who declared – Your vows are binding upon me, O God; I will render offerings to You (Ps.56:12). He did not easily overlook the fact that God had delivered him from the jaws of death (Ps.56:13). Nor did he see these incidents as just incidental. The Lord intervened – so that I may walk before God in the light of the living (Ps.56:13).