Psalms 56
1 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?
Common Questions About Psalms 56
What does David resolve amid fear in Psalm 56?
David says 'when I am afraid, I put my trust in you,' declaring that in God, whose word he praises, he will not fear what flesh can do to him.
What tender image does David use for God's care?
David says God has kept count of his tossings and put his tears in a bottle, a vivid picture of God's intimate attention to his suffering.
Have a different question about this chapter? Ask the Bible Chat Bot below.
Questions to Think About
- What fear do you need to consciously hand over to trust in God today?
- How does knowing God 'keeps count' of your tears change how you view your struggles?
Ask the Bible Chat Bot below if you'd like to talk through any of these.
