Psalms 56:3 “ When I am afraid,
I will put my trust in Thee.”
This is one of the six Psalms of David that are called michtam or miktam. The meaning of the word is not exactly known and thee translators of the Bible translate it phonetically. Some scholars believe that it closely related to the Hebrew word katham which means engraving which probably meant that these Psalms were so important they were engraved upon stone. Other scholars think the word means golden which also means that it is of great value. Still other scholars think it just a term used to tell the singers how to sing the Psalms.
David had fled from Saul to Nog where Ahimelech was King. Ahimelech (Achish is the King’s personal name Ahimelech is his title) was afraid of David, but he sent a priest to talk to him. David asked for five loaves of bread to feed his men King Ahimelech there said, “Isn’t he the king they sing about?” David knew he was in danger. He began to act crazy writing on walls and drooling. It was at this point Psalms 34 was written. King Ahimelech let him go because he had enough crazy men. This is basically his words. David was able to fool them to gain his freedom. Psalms 56 is actually a prayer for protection and deliverance.
There is a New Testament reference to this time in David’s life. In Mark 2:23-28, Jesus spoke of David asking for bread from the priest in Gath because his men were hungry, and Jesus disciples had gathered grain on the Sabbath.
Mark 2:23-28 23And it happened that He was passing through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples began to make their way along while picking the heads of grain. 24The Pharisees were saying to Him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” 25And He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions became hungry; 26how he entered the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the consecrated bread, which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests, and he also gave it to those who were with him?” 27Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28So the Son of Man is Lord, even of the Sabbath.”
Psalms 56 is filled with words of encouragement as well as words that speak of pain.
Verses one and two speak of the pain: Verse one says that David had fought all day long while men trample and oppress him. Verse two speaks of that his foes trample on him all day long and there are many who fight against him. There is also a plea for God to rescue him.
In verses three and four David speaks of his trust in the Lord. He says that when this fear arises, he will trust God, whose word David praises. He then asks how can mere men hurt me.
In verses five, six and seven, David returns to telling what people are saying about him, He says they distort my words. Their thoughts are for evil. They attack. lurk, watch him while they wait to take his live. He asks God to cast them down for their wickedness.
In verses eight through 13, David begins to say that the Lord knows all the tears he has shed. He says he knows his enemies will turn away because God is with him. He then praises God and places his trust in God. He then says that God’s vows are binding, and he again offers thanks. He is thankful for God saved him from death and kept him from stumbling. He ends with saying that God did this so that he could walk in the light of the living.
How many times in your life have you cried because someone has attacked you verbally or even physically? How many times in your life have you shed tears when you fear for yourself? This is where David was at the time of writing this Psalms. Yet in all this pain, this fear, and brokenness, David knew that God would deliver him because he had plans for David’s life.
David was a very flawed man who made mistakes and not just small ones. He made big ones. God loved him because unlike others, David admitted his failures, his flaws, and his brokenness. It took courage to do that.
David also shows us courage when he placed his trust in the Lord in this dark time in his life when so many wanted him to die. He was a hunted man. It is not easy to do, but David shows us how to pray when we need to trust the Lord. We can call up our fears to God, and say I trust you for who can be against me. We can admit our failures and say I trust God to help me make amends. We can be dejected in our brokenness, and God will heal us.
Today’s question:
When have you cried out in pain to the Lord, but also knew that God was there with you?
Ever in Christ’s love,
Mary Elizabeth Todd
February 26, 2024& June 26, 2024
Ruhamah United Methodist Church Bible Verses 