FEBRUARY 1, 2024
“Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God. Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me. In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word. In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.” (Psalm 56:7-11)
Psalm 56 is yet another Psalm of David, often called a “Golden Psalm.” This title denotes a Psalm that teaches a precious lesson as valuable as gold. This is the second “Golden Psalm;” we have the first in Psalm 16, to which this Psalm has a remarkable likeness. A golden mystery is unveiled in these Psalms, and a pillar is set up because of God’s truth. When the Philistines took him in Gath, David was like a dove in strangers’ hands, and on his escape, he recorded his gratitude. He pleads in earnest hope in Vs. 7-9 and closes with a grateful song from Vs. 10-11.
David wrote this Psalm in response to his experiences in Gath. He had fled there to escape Saul. David pretended to be insane when captured by the Philistines so they would not see him as a threat. The song echoes themes common in Psalms, such as trust in the Lord despite danger and a commitment to praise God for His provision. David prays for rescue from the constant threat of his enemies. Despite this, he resolves to respond with trust in the Lord. David asks, rhetorically, “What possible danger could earthly men be compared to the power of God?”
David’s enemies act with hate and malice, driving him into the wilderness. Yet, David is confident that God knows these struggles, highlighting the biblical teaching that no suffering is purposeless. God sees, knows, and will account for everything in the end. This assurance again leads David to trust the Lord, praising Him. David is committed to publicly thanking God for His deliverance. Faith leads David to trust, fully confident he will once again praise the Lord in safety.
David writes that those ruled by iniquity will be cast down in Vs. 7. A persecuted man finds a friend in the God of love, and this Psalm demonstrates that when men seek to hurt – it is only natural to pray that they may be disabled from their evil designs. What God often does, we may safely ask him to do.
Our Father has counted our steps just like some count their money; even the trials of our lives are precious in His sight. David trusts that the Lord will be so considerate of his tears as to store them up as some do wine. God inclines us to pray, we cry in anguish of heart; He hears, He acts, and the enemy is turned back. God harkens unto the cries of His children and delivers them from even the mightiest of adversaries in an instant. We know that God is for us, and by extension, none can be against us who are worth a moment’s fear. God will be instantly present as soon as we give the signal.
He who obtains help and forgets to return a grateful acknowledgment is a wretch. The Lord is to be praised in every aspect and all of His attributes and acts, but particular mercies especially warrant this praise.
The last two verses are the chorus of the Psalm. We must be sure that our faith is grounded in the Lord alone. David will not be afraid what man can do unto him. Faith has banished his fear. Even if the whole race were his enemies, he would not be scared now that his trust is in God. We need to trust in God the same way.
Speak Your Mind