Psalm 56

God gives courage to the afraid.

Sees

Prays

Bottled

Book

Fear and faith are not mutually exclusive. They can occupy the same space. You can fear and trust. And move towards fearlessness.

How do we trust? To trust in God is to rightly value His word.

Trust he will do what he says he’ll do.

What does God promise?

Count up his promises (Phil. 4 peace). He doesn’t promise health wealth or prosperity or even happiness. One of Satan’s greatest lies is that you’ll suffer less because you’re a Christian. But you have resources in suffering that leverage your pain into something beautiful. He promises to be with you. to deliver you blameless. To perfect you. To make you like Jesus, to strengthen you.

You have delivered my soul. So confident it’s in past tense. (Glorified in Rom. 8).

Cross References

Romans 8:31–32 ESV

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Christ connection

Psalms for You Psalm 57

This King would know on earth the “cave” experience; indeed, finally the “cave tomb” experience, if that is not pressing the imagery too far. He would be the true anointed King, the Son of God, and yet he would be unrecognised, hated and hunted. Men would use their tongues like “spears and arrows” against him, saying he was an agent of the devil (Matthew 12:24) and an imposter (Matthew 27:41–43). They would set their traps for him (for instance, Matthew 22:15). But he too would trust the promises even as he felt the terrible pressures. He too would pray for the glory of God the Father; he would make the Father known (John 1:18).

Structure

U | 1, 2. Complaint.

V | 3. Trust.

W | 4. Praise.

U | 5–8. Complaint.

V | 9. Trust.

W | 10–13. Praise.

Illustrations

Journalist Eric Sevareid (1912–1992) said, “The biggest business in America is not steel, automobiles, or television. It is the manufacture, refinement, and distribution of anxiety.”

Gospel Transformation Bible: English Standard Version Psalm 56

There are two other “pills to take” for fear in this psalm. One is logic. Often the Bible commands us to “consider” or “reason.” In this instance, David considers, “What can man do to me?” (see vv. 4, 11). Of course men can kill, but David says we must trust the One who has “delivered my soul from death” (v. 13). The second is worship. Even before experiencing God’s answer, David worships the Lord with thanksgiving and obedience (vv. 4, 11, 12). How much greater reason is there for the Christian to be courageous! God’s Word became flesh. Through his apostles he caused even more to be written down, and he has given us the Holy Spirit to lead us in the “light” of life (v. 13; John 1:1–4).