Psalm 56 (NLT)

For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time the Philistines seized him in Gath. To be sung to the tune “Dove on Distant Oaks.”

1 O God, have mercy on me,

for people are hounding me.

My foes attack me all day long.

2 I am constantly hounded by those who slander me,

and many are boldly attacking me.

3 But when I am afraid,

I will put my trust in you.

4 I praise God for what he has promised.

I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?

What can mere mortals do to me?

5 They are always twisting what I say;

they spend their days plotting to harm me.

6 They come together to spy on me—

watching my every step, eager to kill me.

7 Don’t let them get away with their wickedness;

in your anger, O God, bring them down.

8 You keep track of all my sorrows.[fn]

You have collected all my tears in your bottle.

You have recorded each one in your book.

9 My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help.

This I know: God is on my side!

10 I praise God for what he has promised;

yes, I praise the LORD for what he has promised.

11 I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?

What can mere mortals do to me?

12 I will fulfill my vows to you, O God,

and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help.

13 For you have rescued me from death;

you have kept my feet from slipping.

So now I can walk in your presence, O God,

in your life-giving light.

This was written when David was seized by Philistines in Gath.

What stands out the most was, despite having nothing, David gave praises to God for His Word.

Usually when we got nothing to give, whether it is to find something to be thankful for, or to give praise to God inspite of our lives, we forget we still have His Word.

Each day I have to ask myself whenever troubles in daily life comes: do I have His Word in my heart? Am I living by His Word?

Faith is not proven without trials and temptations (James 2:9; Acts 26:20; Philippians 2:12). David’s faith in God was proven when he held on to the promises of God despite losing his friends, home, reputation. His own king was seeking to murder him. Sworn enemies of Israel would not show him mercy if they caught him.

Knowing the cruelty of people and the faithfulness of God, David chose to depend on God’s mercy.

Life will be filled with grief (John 16:33; Ecclesiastes 1:18; Matthew 6:33-34). But we have this assurance – His Word will never return to Him empty. All God promises and all He said He will do, every Word spoken will accomplish exactly as He desires (Isaiah 55:10-11).