David
Psalm 56
To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath.
Scripture (KJV)
1Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.
2Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
3What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
4In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
5Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.
6They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.
7Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.
8Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
9When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
10In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.
11In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
12Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.
13For 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?
Summary
Psalm 56 is a prayer of trust written when the Philistines seized David in Gath. Enemies would swallow him up daily, but the heart of the psalm is the famous verse 3: "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee." David praises God’s word and refuses to fear what flesh can do. The tender verse 8 reveals God’s intimate care: "Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?" When David cries, his enemies will turn back, for God is for him. He resolves to render praises and to walk before God in the light of the living, trusting the One who has delivered his soul from death also to keep his feet from falling.
The major themes are trust, fear, God’s care, praise, and deliverance. Practically, the psalm teaches that faith does not eliminate fear but redirects it to trust. The great lesson is that God is for us, and He collects our tears in His bottle.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 56
Be merciful unto me, O God, for man would swallow me up. When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God I will praise His word; in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. You tell my wanderings; You put my tears into Your bottle and write them in Your book. When I cry to You, my enemies shall turn back, for God is for me. In God have I put my trust; I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Your vows are upon me; I will render praises to You. You have delivered my soul from death; deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before You in the light of the living. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1How does verse 3 reframe fear as an occasion for trust?
- 2What does it mean that God collects our tears in His bottle?
- 3How does the confidence "God is for me" change the way I face enemies?
- 4Where do I need God to deliver my feet from falling today?
Related Psalms
Psalm 55
“Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.”
A lament of betrayal by a close friend, longing to flee to God.
Read morePsalm 57
“Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: and in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge.”
A prayer for refuge and a resolve to awake the dawn with praise.
Read morePsalm 54
“Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.”
A prayer for help against betrayers, trusting God to sustain.
Read morePsalm 59
“Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.”
A prayer for protection from assailants, praising God as fortress.
Read morePsalm 116
“I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.”
Psalm 116 is a personal thanksgiving psalm in which the worshipper declares, “I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
Read moreSupport BookofPsalms.org
If you find BookofPsalms.org helpful and would like to support the website, you may make a voluntary contribution through PayPal. Your support helps pay for the operation, hosting, maintenance, development, content, security, and continued improvement of BookofPsalms.org.
Independent Website & Contribution Disclosure
BookofPsalms.org is an independently operated, privately owned website. BookofPsalms.org is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by, or operated by any church, denomination, ministry, religious organization, charity, or nonprofit organization.
All funds contributed through BookofPsalms.org are received by the privately owned company that operates the website. Funds may be used by the company to support website hosting, maintenance, development, content creation, administration, advertising, technology, and other business and operating expenses.
Contributions are voluntary and are NOT tax-deductible charitable donations. BookofPsalms.org does not represent contributions as charitable donations or contributions to a nonprofit, church, ministry, or tax-exempt religious organization.
Receive weekly Psalms and prayers
A gentle Psalm, an original prayer, and a short reflection—delivered once a week.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.