PSALM 56
This Psalm was written by David in response to his fleeing to the Philistines to escape Saul as recorded in 1 Samuel 21:10-15.
David had fled Saul after being warned by Saul’s son, Jonathan, that Saul wanted to kill him. David went to Nob, where the priest gave him the shewbread to eat and Goliath’s sword. This caused Saul to have everyone is Nob killed.
David went from Nob to Gath and hoped to find asylum with the King, Achish. This shows how desperate David felt, for the Philistines were historic enemies of Israel. And, although Saul was king and leader of the army, everyone recognized David’s contribution to Israel’s victories. They sang “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands”.
And then there was that unfortunate incident with Goliath.
David evidently hoped the Philistines would shelter him as a common enemy of Saul. However, the Philistines in Gath remembered David and his battles against them. They seized him. This caused David to be afraid, so he acted as if he were insane and was able to escape. So now, not only was Saul chasing David, so were the Philistines.
This psalm is another lament, a personal lament of David for his plight of running from Saul and the Philistines and trying to stay alive even though he had been anointed to be king.
Although this is a lament, it also contains David’s declaration of trust in God during extremely difficult times.
This psalm is another one meant to be sung. Instruction is given to the choirmaster of which tune to sing it to: “The Dove On Far-Off Terebinths”. A terebinth is a tree common in the Mediterranean countries.
Lament
56:1-2
The Psalm begins with David’s plea for God’s mercy. He knows he will receive no mercy from Saul or his other enemy, the Philistines, so God is his only hope.
Although David was God’s anointed, he does see himself as entitled to anything. Instead, he asks for mercy.
David’s enemies were relentless. We see that in his saying “all day long”. Saul would pursue David until he killed him. David emphasizes this relentless attack by using two different words to describe it and repeating the words: tramples and oppresses. He lived with it every day and night, knowing Saul and his army was looking for him.
Remember, too, that David has done nothing to harm Saul. The Lord indeed rejected Saul and chose David. Therefore, even though David had done nothing to try and take the throne away from Saul, Saul’s resistance to God’s will and his paranoia drove him to hate David and fear him.
Trust in God
56:3-4
In all of his difficulties, David has not abandoned his faith in God and God’s plan for David’s life. That does not mean David was never afraid. He was afraid for his life many times. But he says, “when I am afraid, I put my trust in you”.
This is a great expression of faith and a good word for us. Fear is paralyzing. It feeds on itself and grows if you let it. David could easily have collapsed in fear of Saul’s relentless pursuit and his superior army.
Instead, when David began to feel afraid, he placed his trust in God. He placed his trust in the words of God, who had said he would make David the king of Israel. His faith is a deliberate act in defiance of his emotional state.
The writer of Hebrews cited this verse while telling his readers to be content with what they have because God said he would not forsake his people. So, with confidence, they could recite this verse in the psalm. (Hebrews 13:6)
That is the good word for us. When you are afraid or anxious, do not wallow in your fear, rather place your trust in God. Trust that he will act in your best interest and he will give you strength to get through your trials.
In contrast to God, flesh cannot harm David. People cannot thwart the will of God. God keeps his promises. He is faithful.
David’s Afflictions
56:5-9
In these verses, David returns to the description of his afflictions. This is, after all, a lament. He emphasized that they were after him continually (all day long). They tried to hurt him, but also his cause, to be the leader of God’s people.
They thought of nothing but trying to do evil to him. They watched for him, they waited for him, hoping to catch him and hurt him.
So, David asked God to act to cast them down. He wanted God to express his wrath toward them because they opposed God’s people and, therefore, God himself. Here David must be referring to the Philistines, who were the enemies of God’s people Israel. He asked God a rhetorical question, “will they escape”, meaning God should not let them escape from his wrath.
Yet again, David believed God would act in his behalf. He recounted his personal suffering, his tossings while trying to sleep, and his tears of emotional pain, knowing God is aware of them and keeps a record of them. (8)
And David proclaimed that God would turn back his enemies when he called upon him. Because, even in suffering, David knew God was for him. Paul captured this same thought in Romans 8:31, saying “If God is for us, who can be against us?”.
God later answered David’s prayer as to the Philistines as he defeated them several times after becoming king. (2 Samuel 8:1)
Trust In God
56:9b-11
These verses repeat the thoughts expressed in verse 4. God’s acts will vindicate David’s trust. Therefore, David will continue to trust in the Lord and even to praise him. It is much easier to praise God when the victory is won, but David praised God before that, while the battle still raged.
Thanksgiving
56:12-13
In these verses, David moves from lament to thanksgiving. In anticipation of victory, before it happens, David will present a thank offering to the Lord as he had vowed to do.
God had saved David before, and David believed God would do it again, so he would thank him for it in advance.
David also acknowledged that God delivered him so the he could walk before God in the light of life. That is a beautiful sentence. God does not just act to relieve us of suffering, but he helps us so we might walk before him, living our lives in a way that pleases him and brings glory to his name. And when we live this way, we experience the light of life, God’s presence, which only those faithful to him may experience, and which makes life not just liveable, but joyful.
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