To the chief musician,
On the Silent Dove in Distant Lands,
Of David, a Miktam,
When the Philistines took him in Gath.
1. Be gracious to me, O God, because a mortal tramples me.
Fighting all day he oppresses me.
2. My adversaries trample me all day,
Because many are fighting against me proudly.
3. In the day when I fear,
In You I will trust.
4. In God—I will praise His word—
In God I trust.
I will not fear.
What will flesh do to me?
5. All day my words they twisted.
Against me all their thoughts are for evil.
6. They stirred up strife.
They hid themselves. They watched for my heels,
while they laid in wait for my soul.
7. Because of iniquity do not let them escape.
In anger bring down the peoples, O God.
8. My wandering You record.
Put my tears in your bottle.
Are they not in Your record?
9. Then my enemies will return backwards, in the day I cry.
This I know, that God is for me.
10. In God—I will praise the word—
In Yahweh—I will praise the word—
11. In God I trust.
I will not fear.
What will man do to me?
12. Upon me, O God, are Your vows.
I will repay thanksgivings to You.
13. Because You deliver my soul from death,
Will You not deliver my feet from stumbling
To walk before God in the light of the living ones?
Twice during his attempts to escape the murderous hand of Saul, David fled from the land of Israel to take refuge with the Philistines in the city of Gath. The second time he did it, he found favor with the king and remained there for sixteen months (1 Sam. 27:1–7), but the first time the Philistines looked askance at him, and David became so afraid that he pretended madness and the Philistines drove him out (1 Sam. 21:10–15). Psalm 56 recounts his fear and recovery through trusting the word of God.
David emphasizes the pertinacity of his foes. “All day he oppresses me,” “My adversaries trample me all day,” “All day my words they twisted.” They are many. They watch and lie in wait. All their thoughts are against him.
In verses 3–4 and again in verses 10–11, David also puts great emphasis on his faith and confidence. These two passages are very similar. In both he banishes fear by putting his trust in God, and in both his trust is nourished by the praiseworthy reliability of God’s word. God’s word to him was that he would be king. Therefore, he is sure that he will indeed walk before God in the light of the living ones, that is, in the light of those who live in the land of light and life.
David’s life is a pattern for the life of his great son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Or rather, our Lord’s life of suffering followed by glory was the paradigm for David’s life. Especially during his public ministry, Jesus lived in the valley of the shadow of death because of his enemies. As their hatred of Him increased, they sought every means to destroy him: disputes, temptations, flatteries, scandals, threats, evil words, traps, and finally, of course, outright murder. All day they oppressed Him.
But He trusted in His God and His God delivered Him from all and brought Him finally even through death to the light of life and glory at His right hand. His word to Him, as to David, was utterly reliable. Not one good thing of all He had promised failed. God, being God, is both unchangeable and mighty to overcome every power that exalts itself against Him and His purposes.
So He is for us. The way to glory is a way of suffering, but the promises of God are yes and amen in Christ. Trust them. they cannot be broken.