Psalms 56
Read in the NKJV Join Discussion
Reading Time: 2 minutes Listen Online
Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow 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, I will trust in thee.
4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear 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 wait 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 book?
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 vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.
13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?
See Previous Reading See Next Reading
Commentary
In the midst of turmoil David says three things that should comfort and encourage us. First, he expresses his utter trust in God despite contrary circumstances. “When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in Him I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” He adds to these words his personal assurance, “God is for me.”
Second, David pleads with God and says, “Record my lament (“my tossing”—RSV); list my tears in your scroll (or “save my tears in your bottle”)—are they not in your record?” God does take note of our sufferings; every pain we feel vibrates to His own heart.
The third word of hope from David is that “You have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.” No matter what happens to us in this world where suffering and danger are inevitable, and where death seems to have the last word, Jesus assures us that if we follow Him we will never, never walk in darkness; we will have the light of life.
Garth Bainbridge
Australia
