Psalms Chapter 56 (KJV)
Psalms 56
Trust in God amidst fearGod's protection from enemiesGod's awareness of our sufferingPraise in the midst of trialsGod's faithfulness to deliver
[To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath.] Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. {Michtam...: or, A golden Psalm of David}
Mine enemies would daily swallow {me} up: for {they be} many that fight against me, O thou most High. {enemies: Heb. observers}
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts {are} against me for evil.
They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.
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.
Thy vows {are} upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.
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?
Context & Meaning
This psalm is David's cry for mercy when surrounded by enemies who seek to destroy him. Despite his fear and the threats against him, David reaffirms his trust in God and declares that he will not fear what humans can do to him.