Day 123

Psalm 56 part 2. 

For the second and third times in this psalm, David declared the greatness of God’s Word (v10-11.) This was how he knew that God was for him. It wasn’t just a wish, a dream, or hope. It was well-grounded because God said it in ‘His word.’ 

‘In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me:’ David repeated this phrase again, preaching confidence to himself. Because God was for him (confirmed by His word), David need not fear what man could do to him. 

When news came to Luther, that both emperor and pope had threatened his ruin, he bravely answered, ‘I care for neither of them, I know whom I have trusted.’ 

In v12 David referred to the sacrifice he would offer for the deliverance he knew God would bring. He was a long distance from God’s altar so the sacrifice could not yet be made; but in David’s heart, it was already done, as was the anticipated rescue. He, by faith, sees as already done, what he believes God will do for him. His faith moves him to gratitude and so coming blessings are already enjoyed. V13 pictures both justification and sanctification. Do we look to our eternal deliverance with equal joy, praise, and thanksgiving? In this short psalm, we have climbed from the dark ravenous jaws of the enemy into the light of Yahweh’s presence, a path which only faith can tread. 

The fact that Jesus seems to have used the last words of v13 in John 8:12, makes us think of v13 in light of the deliverance Jesus brings to those who trust him and the ‘life’ as His gift of salvation by the Holy Spirit. 

This psalm, in its intensity, is the out breathing of the whole life (soul) toward God. Whenever foes (or calamities or pestilences) are many we should not look to them with fear but to God with trust. (see v11) He who fears God will fear no one else. 

It seems by this, and many other psalms, that when his dangers and fears were greatest David was still in tune for singing God’s praises.