Psalm 56: Trust in God

Key Verse
10 In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, 11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Meditation
The depth of trust in God is directly proportional to the intimacy of personal relationship with Him and the elevation of His word in our life.
 
After being anointed king, David was on the run for his life, writing this Psalm from the hometown of Goliath in Philistia. David was “afraid”, “trampled” by men and feeling pressure “all day long” (1). Evil was plotted against him (5) and enemies were waiting to trip him up (6-7).
 
David trusted in God more than his circumstances because he elevated God’s word above his difficulties. David chose trust over fear (3, 4, 11) because David raised, or praised, God’s word (4, 10). God had been faithful to His word and rescued David in the past, (13) and from personal relationship with God David personally knew God’s intimate care (8) and power (4, 11).
 
Paul quotes this Psalm to empower the Church to find steadfast security in God’s sovereign love by trusting Jesus and His word  (Romans 8:31-32). The Author of Hebrews uses this Psalm to encourage the Church in the face of persecution. After reminding the Church of Jesus' promise, “I will never leave you or forsake you,” the Hebrew’s author declares, “I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6)
 
Today’s psalm of confidence offers lyrics of prayer and praise for people whose trust is in Jesus. From personal relationship, Jesus promises to be with us because He loves us. God’s word promises He is working all things for our good and His glory, inviting us to trust in Him!

Today's Reading
​Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me; 2 my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly. 3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

5 All day long they injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil. 6 They stir up strife, they lurk; they watch my steps, as they have waited for my life. 7 For their crime will they escape? In wrath cast down the peoples, O God! 8 You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? 9 Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me.

10 In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, 11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? 12 I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you. 13 For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the confidence of David in both God and His word?
 
-How can you draw upon your personal experience with Jesus, His faithfulness to His word in the past, to deepen your trust in Him and His word in the presence?  What promises do you need to believe?
 
-If God is for you then who can be against you? Seriously, answer that… If no one, then why are you afraid, anxious, and fearful? What does this reveal about where your trust really falls?
 
Key Verse
10 In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, 11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?